According to the ministry’s ruling, the suspension has been lifted because the WFI has taken corrective action.
After months of uncertainty surrounding the sport, the Sports Ministry has lifted the suspension placed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), opening the door for the sport to resume activities, including selection trials for the next Asian Championship in Amman. On December 24, 2023, the ministry suspended the WFI due to governance and procedural integrity issues with the newly elected board, which was chosen on December 21. The government objected to the location choice since the former BJP MP was accused of sexual harassment. The Sanjay Singh-led organization had stated that the Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships will be held in Nandini Nagar, Gonda, which is the home of former WFI chairman Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
The Sports Ministry has removed the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), allowing the sport to continue its operations, including selection trials for the next Asian Championship in Amman, following months of uncertainty surrounding the sport. Due to concerns about the newly elected board’s governance and procedural integrity, which were selected on December 21, the ministry suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023. Due to allegations of sexual harassment against the former BJP MP, the government protested the choice of venue. Former WFI chairman Brijbhushan Sharan Singh’s house, Nandini Nagar, Gonda, would host the Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships, according to the Sanjay Singh-led organization.The ministry’s decision could be interpreted in light of the fact that the new general secretary, Prem Chand Lochab, was chosen from the opposing side.
Within four weeks, the WFI’s EC is required to provide a commitment in this regard.
In its ruling, the ministry stated that any breach of the undertaking will result in appropriate legal action, including action under the Sports Code.
The order also stated that the WFI must make sure that all international events are selected in a free, fair, and transparent manner in accordance with the Sports Code’s current provisions, other recent directives in this area, and rules periodically issued by the United World Wrestling (UWW).The ministry’s decision could be interpreted in light of the fact that the new general secretary, Prem Chand Lochab, was chosen from the opposing side.
Within four weeks, the WFI’s EC is required to provide a commitment in this regard.
In its ruling, the ministry stated that any breach of the undertaking will result in appropriate legal action, including action under the Sports Code.
The order also stated that the WFI must make sure that all international events are selected in a free, fair, and transparent manner in accordance with the Sports Code’s current provisions, other recent directives in this area, and rules periodically issued by the United World Wrestling (UWW). Since the WFI was banned, the wrestlers who had spearheaded the demonstration against Brij Bhushan had argued that it lacked the power to choose national teams.
The sports organization rejected the court’s order for the Indian Olympic Association to reinstate the ad hoc panel in charge of running the WFI, claiming that UWW, the world governing body, only recognizes the WFI and will not accept entries from the ad hoc panel.
IOA had been threatened by the UWW to suspend WFI once more if its administration was tampered with.”The lifting of this suspension is a huge relief. The teenage wrestlers were suffering during a gap in competition, and it wasn’t their fault. There was no national camp, and tournaments were absent. A coach connected to one of Haryana’s top training facilities stated that the suspension ought to have been lifted a long time ago.
