World body UWW lifts its ban on wrestling federation

United World Wrestling (UWW), wrestling's global governing body, on Tuesday lifted the suspension from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with immediate effect.

- Shantanu Srivastava

WFI had remained under UWW's suspension since August 23 last year for failing to hold the elections. WFI elections were eventually held on December 21 when Sanjay Singh's panel won 13 of the 15 contested positions.

"The UWW Disciplinary Chamber decided that it had sufficient grounds to impose the provisional suspension on the body as the situation in the federation prevailed for at least six months," UWW's statement read.

"The UWW Bureau met on February 9 to review the suspension among other topics and considering all the elements and information, it decided to lift the suspension."

UWW, however, has asked WFI to re-convene the elections to its Athletes Commission before July 1.

"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," UWW said.