New Delhi: The Union sports ministry on Tuesday revoked Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) suspension, handing over control to former WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh loyalist Sanjay Singh.
Brij Bhushan, who was also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, was accused of serious sexual harassment by at least seven women wrestlers. After months of police inaction, he was removed as the WFI head after prolonged protests from India’s top wrestlers. The same wrestlers had protested again when Sanjay Singh was elected the new WFI president. This led the sports ministry to suspend the WFI in an order dated December 24, 2023, and appoint a new ad hoc panel to look over wrestling in India.
“In view of the findings of the Spot Verification Committee, the compliance measures undertaken by the WFI, and in the larger interest of Indian sports and athletes, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports hereby revokes the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued vide order of even number dated 24.12.2023 and restores its recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for wrestling with immediate effect with following directions,” read the latest letter from the ministry.
In its letter, the ministry has asked WFI to revoke any amendments carried out during the suspension and ensure a balance of power between office bearers.
“The WFI must revert the amendments carried out during the suspension period and have a balance of power among the designated office bearers and provide checks and balance in the decision making process and this process should be completed in 4 weeks,” the letter said
“Any person who is not elected as an office bearer, as also the suspended/terminated salaried officials of the WFI must remain completely disassociated from the Federation and its affiliate units. The EC of WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks. Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including the action under the Sports Code,” it added.
“The WFI must ensure that selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard along with regulations issued from time-to-time by the UWW.”
The letter further says, “The WFI shall ensure adherence to the Sports Code, principles of good governance, and athlete welfare policies.”
Sakshi Malik, an Olympic medallist who was one of the faces of the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had quit wrestling after Sanjay Singh’s appointment as WFI chief, saying that Brij Bhushan’s “right hand” had been made president.
Sanjay Singh, after winning the WFI elections had celebrated his victory at Brij Bhushan’s house under a banner which read, “Dab Dabba Hai, Dab Dabba Rahega (We dominate, our domination will continue).”
