Sports Ministry requests IOA to constitute ad-hoc committee to manage WFI affairs

The development comes hours after the ministry had suspended the newly elected body, noting that the ‘newly elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers’.

Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik address a news conference as they take part in a sit-in protest demanding arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, who they accuse of sexually harassing female players, in New Delhi, India, April 24, 2023. (File/Reuters)

After suspending the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body on Sunday, the Sports Ministry have requested the Indian Olympic Association to constitute ad-hoc committee to manage and control affairs of the federation.

The Ministry is learnt to have written to the IOA President to ensure that the affairs of WFI be controlled “as per the defined role of NSFs in the National Sports Development Code of India-2011, including the selection of athletes, making entries for the participation of sportspersons in international events, holding of sporting activities, etc. with immediate effect, until further orders.

READ | Govt suspends Wrestling federation: New body in complete control of former office-bearers

“Since Wrestling is an Olympic sport and WFI is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association (IA) and 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,” the ministry added in its address.

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The development comes hours after the ministry had suspended the newly elected body, noting that the ‘newly elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers’.

It was only on Thursday that Sanjay Singh, a close aide of former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had been appointed as the new WFI chief. Singh’s appointment was opposed by wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who had been central members of the wrestlers protests this year against the former WFI President Brij Bhushan, alleging him of sexual misconduct and harassment. While Sakshi announced her retirement in protest, Bajrang returned his Padma Shri award.

Following the announcement from the ministry though, Brij Bhushan has told the PTI, “Whatever has to be done with regards to wrestling in India, it has to be done by the new elected body. I have nothing to do with the sport now. I have other responsibilities to focus now. I will be away from the politics of this sport.”