WFI Suspension: IOA Forms 3-Member Ad-Hoc Committee to Run Day-To-Day Affairs Of Wrestling Body

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) finally formed a three-member ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). WFI was suspended after failing to follow the provisions of its own constitution while taking decisions.

Wushu Association of India president Bhupinder Singh Bajwa has been named the chairman of the body while former hockey player MM Somaya and badminton player Manjush Kanwar were named the other members.

Three days after electing new officers, including Sanjay Singh, a supporter of Brij Bhushan Singh, as the new president, the Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the WFI and requested that IOA form an ad hoc committee to oversee the organisation's operations.

In a press release, the IOA said that the recently elected president and WFI officials had disregarded good governance norms and taken arbitrary choices that violated their own constitutions.

"The IOA has recently become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA- appointed Ad hoc Committee," IOA president PT Usha said in the release.

"This not only highlights a governance gap within the federation but also signifies a noticeable departure from established norms. Since the IOA considers adherence to governance norms as vital for ensuring fair play, transparency and accountability and to safeguard the interests of sportspersons as espoused by IOC and to ensure continuity, it has been decided to appoint an Ad hoc committee...."

The ad hoc committee was tasked to oversee and supervise WFI's operations, which include athlete selection, submitting entries for athletes to participate in international events, organizing sports activities, handling bank accounts, managing the website, and other related responsibilities.

"This is an Olympic year, we must start preparing from now. We will conduct all senior and junior championships soon, along with camps, to maximize our chances of winning medals in the (Paris) Olympics," Bajwa told PTI.

"Our goal is to achieve the maximum number of medals in the Olympics for our country, as this is one of the most popular games in India and has significant potential."

Bajwa was also a member of the previous ad hoc committee that the IOA established in April to manage WFI's operations and hold elections. After numerous postponements owing to legal concerns, elections were eventually held on December 21, with close assistant to Brij Bhushan, Sanjay, becoming victorious in the presidential contest.

Shortly after winning the WFI President's race on Thursday, Sanjay said that the age group national championships would begin on December 28 in Gonda, UP-the home constituency of BJP MP Brij Bhushan.

The government cited the WFI's "hurried announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nations "without following due procedure and not giving wrestlers sufficient notice" to make preparations as justification for suspending the organisation.

The ministry believed that the new WFI body was not operating in accordance with the National Sports Code because it was entirely controlled by its former office-bearers.
Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik announced her resignation from wrestling following Sanjay's election as WFI chief, stating she would not pursue the sport with Brij Bhushan, a close ally, leading the national federation.

Bajrang Punia, who won bronze in the Olympics in Tokyo, also gave back his Padma Shri to the government. Medallist at the World Championships Vinesh Phogat did the same, returning her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. The three had spearheaded a five-month-long wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar, during which they had accused Brij Bhushan of abusing multiple female grapplers sexually.