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With the Paris Olympic Games fast approaching, the Indian wrestling scene faces a significant standstill due to ongoing controversies involving the national wrestling body. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), embroiled in a long-standing dispute, sees its complications deepening as newly-elected president Sanjay Singh openly challenges the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)-appointed ad-hoc panel.
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In a recent statement to India Today, Sanjay Singh expressed his discontent with the formation of the ad-hoc panel, which he claims was established without consulting him or other elected members of the WFI. He emphasized the legitimacy of his election as WFI president, a process mandated by the Supreme Court of India.
The issue intensified when the Sports Ministry suspended the executive body of the Wrestling Federation of India shortly after Sanjay Singh's election. The Ministry raised concerns about the influence of former WFI office-bearers on the new body and questioned the operation of the WFI office from the residence of its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This suspension followed allegations by prominent Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshee Malikkh, against Brij Bhushan for sexual harassment and expressed opposition to Sanjay Singh's election, citing his close association with Brij Bhushan.
In response to these developments, the Sports Ministry directed the IOA to form an ad-hoc panel to manage WFI operations. The panel, led by Wushu Association of India president Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, includes Olympian MM Somaya and former international badminton player Manjusha Kanwar. Established in late December, the panel quickly took action by announcing the dates for the national wrestling championships, scheduled for February 2 to 5 in Jaipur, and asserted that all communications should be directed to them instead of the suspended federation.
Despite these measures, Sanjay Singh maintains that the WFI will host the nationals and plans to convene a general body meeting to discuss resuming competitions in the country. Following the Sports Ministry's scrutiny, the WFI office was recently relocated from the residence of its former president, fulfilling a promise made by Sanjay Singh to the Ministry.
This ongoing saga in Indian wrestling not only disrupts the preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics but also highlights the complexities and challenges within sports administration, as the wrestling community seeks a resolution to resume its activities unhindered.
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IOA Steps In: Ad-Hoc committee formed to oversee day-to-day affairs of Wrestling Federation of India amid suspension
