New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been indefinitely suspended by the world governing body over its failure to hold elections on time.
Elections were scheduled for June 2023, but were repeatedly postponed due to the protests against outgoing WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over charges of sexual allegations. Singh is being probed legally after India’s top wrestlers hit the streets this year demanding his resignation and arrest.
The elections to WFI’s 15 office-bearers were scheduled to take place on 12 August but the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a stay a day before.
The order came on a petition filed by the Haryana Wrestling Association challenging the move to allow the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association to cast votes in the polls, which was against the WFI’s rules, lawyers argued.
The international governing body of the sport – the United World Wrestling (UWW) – had threatened suspension in May and expressed concern about the wrestlers’ protests.
The world body had given the WFI’s ad-hoc panel, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, an ultimatum of 45 days to conduct the elections.
The suspension would mean that Indian grapplers cannot compete at the upcoming World Championships under the Indian flag.
The Indian wrestlers will now have to compete as “neutral athletes” at the Olympic-qualifying World Championships, starting 16 September.
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