The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Monday, reinstating its status as a National Sports Federation (NSF). This decision comes after months of uncertainty within Indian wrestling, following a series of controversies and protests against the WFI leadership.
The WFI was initially suspended after its newly elected president, Sanjay Singh, announced the U-15 and U-20 national championships in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, in December 2023. This move came amidst ongoing protests by several renowned wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia.
These athletes had been leading protests since early 2023 against the WFI’s former president, Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. The accusations and protests rocked the federation and led to widespread calls for reform.
In August 2023, United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport, imposed a ban on WFI after it failed to hold elections within the mandated time frame, further complicating the federation’s standing.
The elections were delayed due to ongoing protests and the serious allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh. In response, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established an ad-hoc committee to manage the federation’s day-to-day activities and ensure Indian wrestling’s continuity in international competitions.
Elections were finally held in late December 2023, with Sanjay Singh emerging as the new president of WFI. However, his election sparked fresh protests from wrestlers who claimed he was an ally of former president Brij Bhushan Singh. Shortly after his election, the Sports Ministry suspended the federation once again, citing concerns after Sanjay Singh’s announcement to host the nationals in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
In early 2024, UWW decided to lift its ban on WFI, citing the completion of elections and the successful organization of selection trials for upcoming international competitions. Following this, the IOA dissolved its ad-hoc committee in March 2024, declaring that the committee was no longer needed after WFI had regained its footing and UWW’s recognition.
The federation’s reinstatement is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing the sport and ensuring that Indian wrestlers can continue to participate in international events under a recognized body.
(With ANI inputs)
