The Union Sports Ministry has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India body under the leadership of newly elected president Sanjay Singh. The Sports Ministry also asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc body to control and manage the affairs of WFI.
The Ministry announced its decision in an official release on December 24 citing hasty decisions by the newly elected body and that it has shown complete disregard for the existing rules and regulations.
May explore legal options, says Sanjay Singh
Reacting to the development, Mr. Sanjay Singh said the WFI will seek revocation of its suspension by explaining to the government that it has not flouted any rules while taking decisions and if the issue is not resolved, it may explore legal options.
“We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options,” Mr. Sanjay Singh told PTI.
“We will explain that we have followed rules in taking decisions. We will present the proofs. Whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus. It was not my personal decision. 24 state associations had given affidavits and we have got emails, we have everything in writing,” the sports administrator added.
Sakshi Malik welcomes decision
Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik, one of the prominent faces of the agitation against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, welcomed the WFI’s suspension.
“It is the first step towards something good happening. I hope the government understands more for what cause we were fighting,” said Ms. Malik.
“If a woman federation president is there, it will be better for the safety of women wrestlers. It was a fight for sisters and daughters of the country,” she added.
Bajrang Punia, who had returned his Padma Shri medallion to the government on Friday in protest over the election Mr. Sanjay Singh as WFI President, said he won’t take back his award.
“Now that I have returned it, I am not going to take it back. The honour of our sisters and daughters is bigger than any award. All of you have seen what is happening,” the Tokyo Games bronze medal winner told PTI.
“I will think about taking it back only after justice is delivered. The matter is in court and we are waiting for justice,” he added.
Mr. Punia, Ms. Malik and Vinesh Phogat had accused Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting women wrestlers during his tenure as WFI president.
Mr. Sanjay Singh announced on December 21 that the U-15 and U-20 nationals would take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (U.P.) before the end of this year. Citing the announcement, the Sports Ministry said the announcement was against the the rules and a 15-day notice was required so that players could prepare.
The Ministry has written to the IOA to form the panel at the earliest.
“... Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI,” said the letter signed by Tarun Pareek, under secretary to the Government of India.
“This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organizations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to to make suitable arrangements for the interim for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopradised,” he said in the letter addressed to IOA President PT Usha.
‘Haven’t terminated WFI’
“The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. We have not terminated the Federation but suspended till further orders. They just need to follow the due process and the rules,” a Sports Ministry official told PTI.
The source further explained the reasons for suspension.
“Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.
“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.
“As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” said the Ministry’s source.
Embroiled in controversies
Mr. Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Mr. Brij Bhushan Singh, swept the polls and was elected president of the body with his panel winning most of the posts on December 21.
Soon after the elections, Ms. Malik, the Rio Olympic bronze medallist, announced her decision to retire from the sport in a dramatic announcement as she kept her shoes on the table. “We wanted a female president but that did not happen,” a teary-eyed Ms. Malik said.
Ahead of the elections, Mr. Punia and Ms. Malik had repeatedly requested Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to stop anyone associated with Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from contesting the WFI polls.
Mr. Punia on December 22 announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award. "I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to say. This is my statement," read a post shared by the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist wrestler on X, formerly Twitter.
Deaflympics gold medallist Virender Singh Yadav, better known as Goonga Pehlwan also decided to return his Padma Shri to the government on December 23, showing solidarity with the country’s top wrestlers who have objected to Mr. Singh’s election. "I will also return the Padma Shri for my sister and the country's daughter. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malikkh," Virender wrote on X.
(With inputs from PTI)
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