Sports Ministry Lifts WFI Suspension, National Trials for Asian Wrestling Championship Set for This Weekend

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The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will conduct national selection trials this weekend in Delhi to finalize teams across all three categories, including Greco-Roman, for the upcoming 2025 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.

This follows the sports ministry's decision to revoke the suspension of the national wrestling body, a WFI official confirmed.

"Entries by numbers for the March 25-30 Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, have already been submitted. However, there is still a provision to modify the names of the competitors," the WFI official stated. "With limited time, we are looking to conduct the national selection trials at the earliest."

The trials, initially planned for last weekend, were delayed due to the sports ministry only issuing the official circular reinstating WFI on Monday (March 10). This delay means that additional time will be required to inform state units and wrestlers about the trials, the official added.

The selection trials will be conducted across all three wrestling categories-men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's freestyle.

After a turbulent start to the 2025 season, the Indian national wrestling team missed out on two consecutive United World Wrestling (UWW)-sanctioned ranking series events. The sports ministry had withheld international exposure due to uncertainty over WFI's status.

However, in its March 10 communication, the ministry confirmed that the WFI suspension had been revoked. "The WFI shall ensure adherence to the 2011 National Sports Code principles of good governance and athlete welfare policies," the ministry stated in its circular. "The WFI must ensure that selection for all international events is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, as per the provisions of the Sports Code and the latest instructions issued in this regard, along with regulations provided by the world governing body (UWW)."

A senior wrestling coach highlighted the impact of WFI's suspension on Indian wrestlers. "The wrestlers suffered because the 2023 WFI office-bearers' election was not recognized by the government. No national camps were held, and the Indian team missed two 2025 World Ranking Series events. This will negatively impact the wrestlers' prospects at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, scheduled from September 13," the coach said. "The lack of crucial world ranking points will affect the seedings of Indian wrestlers at the championships."

For the wrestling community, the revocation of WFI's suspension comes as a major relief. "For over two years, no national camps were held to prepare for international competitions. Even wrestlers bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics had to train at their respective centers since the ministry did not approve wrestling camps," an international wrestler commented.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Indian wrestling contingent managed to secure only one bronze medal, won by Aman Sherawat.