Sports Ministry Revokes Suspension on Wrestling Federation of India

With WFI reinstated as a national sports federation, Indian grapplers can start preparing for global events

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Ending a 14-month impasse, the Union Sports Ministry had on Monday revoked the 'suspension' of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and reinstated its status as a National Sports Federation (NSF) while paving the way for resumption of activities, including selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman.

The ministry had derecognised the WFI on 24 December 2023, three days after Sanjay Singh was elected the new chief, on grounds of "lapses regarding governance and procedural integrity by the newly elected body, which apparently was in control of former office-bearers in complete disregard to the provisions of the National Sports Code." It had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc panel to run the affairs of the Federation.

Sanjay Singh had faced opposition since the day of his election, considering his closeness with former chief Brij Bhushan Singh, against whom several leading wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia had labelled allegations of sexually exploiting junior wrestlers during his tenure and staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2023, demanding his arrest and a complete overhaul of WFI.