As UWW lifts Wrestling Federation of India suspension, a condition: Don’t discriminate against Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik can't be discriminated, says world body but confusion prevails on domestic circuit.

Before suspending the WFI in August last year, the UWW had threatened to suspend India in June as well when it issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the treatment and detention of the protesting wrestlers. (File)

In a decision that is likely to create confusion domestically but will allow India’s athletes to once again compete under the national flag internationally, the United World Wrestling (UWW) Tuesday lifted the suspension it imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

The UWW said the reinstatement of WFI – after it served a suspension for six months for failure to conduct its elections – is conditional. As a part of the deal, the WFI – led by a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment by the country’s top wrestlers – has to provide the UWW with ‘written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination’.

“This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former President,” the UWW said, referring to Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik who led the protests against Brij Bhushan.

#BreakingNews: United World Wrestling has lifted the suspension of Wrestling Federation of Indiahttps://t.co/3hA5QRlKvr

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) February 13, 2024

Speaking to The Indian Express, WFI president Sanjay Singh said he would personally call the three wrestlers and invite them to participate in the trials for the Olympic qualification tournament to be held in April.

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While Sakshi announced her retirement after Sanjay was appointed the president, Vinesh recently won a gold medal at the National Championship in her first tournament in more than a year. Bajrang is currently in Russia preparing for the trials.

“I have held talks with the UWW. I won’t take any names but I will invite the three wrestlers personally for the trials. Every wrestler eligible will be allowed to take part in the tournament,” Sanjay told this paper.

Also Read | ‘Wrestlers who want to do politics can do politics’: Sanjay Singh, close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, says after being elected WFI president

The UWW’s decision, however, will lead to an anomalous situation where the WFI is now recognised by the world body but remains suspended domestically.

The government has mandated an ad-hoc committee, instituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), to take care of the day-to-day affairs of the WFI including team selections and conducting tournaments.

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The government took the decision days after Sanjay succeeded Brij Bhushan as the WFI president. One of the reasons cited for the move was that the Sanjay-led committee, the government noted, ‘appeared to be in complete control’ of the BJP MP.

The ad-hoc body had recently conducted its own National Championship, separate from the competition held by the WFI. It has even announced the dates, venues and eligibility for the selection trials for the Olympic qualifiers.

Until now, the UWW coordinated with the ad-hoc committee for India’s participation. Now that they have lifted WFI’s suspension, the ad-hoc committee – for them – will cease to exist. As per competition rules, they will accept only those entries for tournaments that come via the national governing body.

Bhupinder Bajwa, a member of the ad-hoc body, did respond to calls seeking comments. Prem Chand Lochab, the WFI secretary general who worked alongside the ad hoc body, said he was waiting for details on the UWW decision.

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Also Read | Wrestling Federation of India elections: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist Sanjay Kumar Singh confident of winning

Sanjay, meanwhile, said new dates and venues for the trials will be announced soon. “Since the WFI is responsible for ensuring participation of India’s wrestlers in international tournaments, we will conduct the selection trials as well as the National Championship for junior age groups,” he said.

Another condition that the UWW has imposed on the WFI is the elections of its Athletes’ Commission.

Rendering the earlier election – wherein London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt was elected chairman – null and void, the world body said the candidates for the commission shall be ‘active athletes’.

“The WFI has to re-convene the elections of its Athletes’ Commission. The candidates for this commission shall be active athletes or retired for no longer than four years. The voters shall be exclusively athletes. These elections shall take place during trials or any senior national championships where this operation can take place, but no later than July 1, 2024,” the UWW said.