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After multiple warnings, the United World Wrestling (UWW) Federation have suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after the body failed to conduct its elections by the given ultimatum of July 15.
The UWW expected the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to conduct their election by July 15, they said in a meeting on May 30. The international body stated that if the WFI did not conduct its elections within 45 days, they would suspend WFI's membership.
This stern directive from the UWW came on the heels of serious allegations. The Sports Ministry had suspended the WFI's office-bearers due to accusations of sexual harassment levelled against Brijbhushan Sharan by female Indian wrestlers. As a response, an ADHOC committee was established by the ministry. Former Jammu and Kashmir High Court judge, MM Kumar, was appointed as the election officer to oversee the forthcoming elections of the Wrestling Federation.
Originally, the elections were scheduled for July 11. However, complications arose when the Assam Wrestling Association sought and obtained an injunction from the Assam High Court concerning its recognition. Interestingly, it was the ADHOC Committee that had granted recognition to the Assam Wrestling Association.
Following this development, the returning officer, MM Kumar, rescheduled the WFI elections for August 12. But in an unexpected twist, just a day before the planned elections on August 11, the Haryana Wrestling Association - backed by Deepender Hooda - secured a stay on the elections from the Haryana High Court.
WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS?
In doing so, India will now be forced to participate under the flag of the UWW in the upcoming Wrestling World Championships which will commence on September 16. They will have to participate under this flag in all upcoming major wrestling events, but not events like the Asian Games as those are by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
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