New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has officially revoked the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), allowing it to resume operations after 15 months.
This decision clears the path for the federation to conduct selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman, Jordan.
Suspension Lifted After Compliance
The WFI was suspended on December 24, 2023, due to governance and procedural lapses by the newly elected body on December 21, 2023.
The ministry had directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc panel to manage WFIโs affairs.
However, controversy arose when the Sanjay Singh-led WFI announced Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda, a stronghold of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was facing sexual harassment charges.
The government opposed this move, intensifying its scrutiny of the WFI.
In its latest order, the ministry stated that WFI had taken necessary corrective measures, and in the larger interest of wrestlers and Indian wrestling, it decided to lift the suspension.
โI thank the government for taking this step. It will allow us to function smoothly. It was needed for the sake of the sport. The athletes were suffering for lack of competitions,โ said WFI President Sanjay Singh.
Ministryโs Conditions for WFI
The ministry imposed strict conditions on WFI, including:
- Ensuring a balance of power among elected officials.
- Keeping suspended/terminated officials disassociated from WFI operations.
- The WFI Executive Committee must submit an undertaking within four weeks.
- Conducting free, fair, and transparent selection trials for international competitions as per Sports Code and United World Wrestling (UWW) guidelines.
โThe EC of the WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within four weeks. Any violation will invite legal action, including under the Sports Code,โ stated the ministryโs order.
Wrestlers, Coaches Welcome Decision
Indian wrestlers had missed Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania due to WFIโs suspension. There were fears they would also miss the World Championship, but protests outside the Sports Ministerโs residence led to their participation.
โWe are so relieved that this suspension has been lifted. There was a complete lull; young wrestlers were suffering for no fault of theirs.
They were missing tournaments, and there was no national camp. The suspension should have been lifted long back,โ said a Haryana-based wrestling coach.
Veteran wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, who led protests against Brij Bhushan, had earlier argued that a suspended WFI had no authority to select teams.
Vinesh later joined Congress, winning the Julana seat in the Haryana elections, while Bajrang was appointed chief of the All India Kisan Congress (AIKC).
With the Asian Championship set for March 25, WFI will now resume selection trials, marking a fresh start for Indian wrestling.
