NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been indefinitely suspended by the United World Wrestling (UWW) due to the federation's failure to conduct crucial elections, resulting in far-reaching consequences for Indian wrestlers. The WFI, which serves as India's governing body for wrestling, has been grappling with a series of controversies that have led to the postponement of its elections. Originally scheduled for June 2023, the elections have faced multiple delays owing to protests by Indian wrestlers and legal disputes from various state units.
The UWW, the global governing authority for wrestling, has taken the decision to suspend WFI's membership due to its inability to conduct timely elections. This suspension will have a direct impact on Indian wrestlers' participation in the upcoming World Championships, where they will be compelled to compete as 'neutral athletes' rather than under the Indian flag.
The responsibility for conducting the elections rested with an ad-hoc panel led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa. Unfortunately, this panel failed to meet the 45-day deadline for holding the elections, leading to Indian wrestlers' compromised participation in the Olympic-qualifying World Championships, set to commence on September 16. However, there is a silver lining as Indian athletes can still compete under the Indian flag at the Asian Games, beginning on September 23, thanks to the involvement of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) rather than the WFI.
The election process, initially slated for August 12, saw notable candidates stepping forward. Sanjay Singh from Uttar Pradesh, a close aide to outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, filed his nomination for the presidential post. Additionally, Darshan Lal from the Chandigarh wrestling body was nominated for the position of general secretary, while SP Deswal from Uttarakhand received the nomination for treasurer within the Brij Bhushan camp.
The WFI's troubles have not been recent; it had been previously suspended in January and May. This action followed protests by India's top wrestlers against the functioning of the federation and allegations of sexual harassment against its then-president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Presently, the day-to-day operations of WFI are being managed by an ad-hoc committee established by the Indian Olympic Association and led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa.
It's important to note that UWW had cautioned the WFI about the possibility of suspension if the elections were not held promptly. In the election proceedings, both Maharashtra and Tripura found themselves without representation, with claims from both factions of Maharashtra being deemed "ineligible." Tripura, on the other hand, has remained disaffiliated since 2016.
In conclusion, the suspension of WFI by UWW due to election delays has not only placed Indian wrestlers in a challenging position but also highlighted the need for effective governance within sports federations to ensure timely decision-making and smooth functioning.
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