The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was placed under indefinite suspension by the Sports Ministry on Sunday. This move follows a contentious decision over the setup of the U-15 and U-20 national trials made by the recently elected board.
The WFI announced plans to host the U-15 and U-20 nationals without giving wrestlers enough time to be ready, under the direction of Sanjay Singh and his team.
“Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP), before the end of this year. This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI,” said a ministry source.
“As per clause 3 (e) of the preamble of the constitution of WFI, the object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior, and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee.”
WFI has been told to suspend all operations until further directives. The suspension follows the December 21 WFI elections, in which Sanjay and his followers—aligned with previous president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh—acquired notable electoral gains.
IN THE MIDDLE OF CONTROVERSIES
Mr. Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Mr. Brij Bhushan Singh, dominated the votes and was chosen president of the body on December 21, with his panel obtaining the majority of the positions.
Ms. Malik, the Rio Olympic bronze medalist, declared her retirement from the sport shortly after the elections in a dramatic declaration while keeping her shoes on the table. “We wanted a female president, but that did not happen,” Ms. Malik added, Mr. Punia and Ms. Malik have repeatedly asked Sports Minister Anurag Thakur not to allow anyone affiliated with Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to run in the WFI elections.
Mr. Punia on December 22 announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award. “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to say. This is my statement,” read a post shared by the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist wrestler on X, formerly Twitter.
Deaflympics gold medalist Virender Singh Yadav, better known as Goonga Pehlwan also decided to return his Padma Shri to the government on December 23, showing solidarity with the country’s top wrestlers who have objected to Mr. Singh’s election. “I will also return the Padma Shri for my sister and the country’s daughter. Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malikkh,” Virender wrote on X.
IMPACT ON WRESTLERS
The ban on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has had an impact on wrestlers both directly and indirectly the practices have been affected by the immediate ban and mental pressure of announced national tournaments for U-15 and U-20, which has created pressure on wrestlers. Furthermore, the business of the federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers, which is also the alleged premises wherein sexual harassment of the players has been alleged and at present the court is hearing the matter.
The direct impact can be seen from the retirement of renowned players like Sakshi Malikkh along with the return of Padam Shri by Bajrang Punia and Vijender Singh Yadav. All instances can lead to the conclusion that the sportsperson of India is treated by the federation as compared to the treatment cricket players get in this country. This can also be viewed as the government only values players like these during the Olympics or international games in which they represent India.
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