The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) dissolved the ad hoc committee for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with immediate effect on March 18, saying ‘there is no further need’ for it to run the activities of the WFI through an ad hoc committee. After this move, the control of the wrestling body goes back to the Sanjay Singh-led WFI Executive Committee.
The IOA's decision came to light after the ad hoc committee successfully conducted the Olympic wrestling qualifiers selection trials and after United World Wrestling's (UWW) decision to lift the ban on WFI.
IOA dissolves ad hoc panel for Wrestling
"The decision to dissolve the Adhoc Committee comes in light of the lifting of the ban on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the successful completion of Selection Trials by the Adhoc Committee appointed by the IOAas per directives of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi," IOA order stated.
"Consequent upon the aforementioned developments, there is no further need to run the activities of the WFI through an Adhoc Committee.”
"However, as instructed by the UWW, it is imperative that the WFI appoint a Safeguarding Committee/Officer at the earliest to address the concerns of abuse and harassment and to ensure adherence to all rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by the UWW and other relevant authorities. Furthermore, the WFI is also directed to conduct the election of the Athletes Commission in a time-bound manner, in accordance with the established procedures and guidelines. This step is essential to promote athlete representation and participation in the decision-making processes of the WFI."
It has been learned that there is no necessity for an ad-hoc committee for the operations of the WFI. This move indicates that WFI will resume its operations under its regular governance structure.
IOA formed ad hoc committee
IOA established a three-member ad hoc committee to run the daily affairs of the WFI on December 27. The action was taken by the sports ministry following the suspension of the Wrestling national body.
The president of the Wushu Association of India Bhupinder Singh Bajwa served as the chairman of the committee. The other two members were hockey Olympian M M Somaya and former international shuttler Manjusha Kanwar.
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