Wrestlers Protest: IOA debars outgoing WFI office bearers from administrative function as Ad-Hoc committee comes into effect

The WFI has officially been disbanded as the wrestlers protest against the WFI continues

SportsTak

• Sat • 13 May 2023

As the protest of the wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) goes on, the Indian Olympic Association's (IOC) executive council has confirmed that the outgoing WFI office bearers have ceased their administrative control over the sporting body, with their Ad hoc Committee to conduct elections of Executive Council of the WFI and manage their affairs as well.

"Taking note of the Ministry's letter dated 24.04.2023 informing Indian Olympic Association (IOA) of the administrative void in Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and requesting the IOA to form a transitory committee or Ad hoc Committee to conduct elections of Executive Council of WFI and manage affairs of WFI, IOA Executive Council at its Emergency meeting held on 27th April 2023 has unanimously resolved that an Ad Hoc Committee should be constituted to take charge of the affairs of the WFI," the letter read.

"IOA has appointed Ad hoc Committee vide Order 03.05.2023 consisting of Bhupender Singh Bajwa, IOA Executive Council Member and Suma Shirur, Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit of IOA. A retired Judge of the Hon'ble Supreme Court or any High Court in India will also be involved with the Ad Hoc Committee to ensure fresh elections of WFI are conducted in a smooth, transparent and legally sound manner. Ad hoc Committee has already started functioning."

"In pursuance of the above, it is hereby clarified that the Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the IOA for the discipline of Wrestling shall carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the National Sports Federation as enunciated in the Sports Code."

"With the Ad hoc Committee being in existence, the outgoing office bearers of the WFI shall have no role with respect to the exercise of any function of the NSF for the discipline of Wrestling and shall not perform any administrative, financial, regulatory or any other role. Therefore, the outgoing office bearers of the WFI are directed to hand over all official documents, including website management, financial instruments, login details for making entries for the participation of Indian sportspersons in international events, etc., to the Ad hoc Committee, forthwith," it concluded.

This comes after the protest entered its 20th day, despite the Supreme Court's latest verdict to close the sexual harassment case against sidelined WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Before that, the SC directed the Delhi Police to file FIRs against the disgraced president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan for sexual harassment, the apex court gave a verdict on May 4 to close the proceedings despite police vowing to launch a ‘completely independent and impartial’ investigation by a team led by a senior woman IPS officer. Supreme Court's decision came after ensuring adequate security for the seven complainants, including one minor.

But despite the verdict, the wrestlers have decided to go on with the protest until their demands are met. Notably, wrestlers have been sitting in protest since April 23, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan.

"We respect the Supreme Court order, protest will continue. Supreme Court order is not a setback, it did what it could in this matter," Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said.

The wrestlers also said that they will seek a future course of action after consulting their seniors. "We have all options open, will decide after consulting seniors," Vinesh Phogat said.