Wrestling Federation's suspension revoked, nod for selection trials

New Delhi: Ending months of uncertainty, the Union Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). With this, selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman can be conducted.

The ministry had suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, due to lapses in governance and procedural integrity by the new body, four days after it was elected to replace the outgoing controversial chief and former Lok Sabha MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

The Sanjay Singh-led body had announced the conduct of the Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda—considered the stronghold of Brijbhushan. The choice of venue irked the government since the former BJP MP was facing charges of sexual harassment. Posters declaring his continued influence on the Federation despite stepping down are believed to have played a part in the Ministry's decision to suspend WFI.

In revoking the suspension, the ministry said the WFI has taken compliant measures. "I 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," Sanjay Singh told PTI.

The ministry, though, has asked the WFI to follow certain directions, such as the Federation has to ensure that there is a balance of power among the elected office bearers, and it keeps itself disassociated from the suspended/terminated officials.

The majority of the newly elected office bearers were considered from Brijbhushan's gang. But Prem Chand Lochab, the new general secretary, was elected from the rival camp. The ministry's directive could be understood in that context.

"The Executive Council of the WFI must give an undertaking within four weeks. Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including action under the Sports Code," the order said.

It also said that the WFI must ensure that the selection for all international events is free, fair and transparent as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code.

The Asian Championship is scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan, from March 25.

The Indian wrestlers missed out on competing in Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania due to the ministry suspension and the court cases filed by prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Satyawart Kadian.

The wrestlers, who led the protest against Brij Bhushan, contended that the WFI, which had been suspended, did not have the authority to pick national teams.

The court had directed the Indian Olympic Association to restore the ad-hoc panel for managing the WFI but the sports body had refused, saying UWW, the world governing body, recognises only the WFI and won't accept entries from the ad-hoc panel.

The UWW threatened that IOA would suspend WFI again if there was interference in its governance.