Wrestlers Protest: IOA Schedules WFI Elections for July 4

New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections are scheduled to take place on July 4, according to an announcement by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The IOA has appointed Justice (Retd) Mahesh Mittal Kumar, the former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, as the returning officer to oversee the elections.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the current WFI President, has faced allegations of sexual harassment from top Indian wrestlers. Having completed three tenures (12 years) in office in March this year, Singh's continued presidency has been a subject of contention. Initially, the WFI had announced the election date as May 7, but the Sports Ministry declared it null and void. As a result, a two-member ad hoc committee was appointed to handle the WFI's affairs and organize fresh elections within 45 days.

The IOA has now taken the initiative to start the election process by appointing Justice (Retd) Kumar as the returning officer. The IOA joint secretary and acting CEO, Kalyan Chaubey, communicated this appointment in a letter, also suggesting the possibility of Justice Kumar appointing an Assistant Returning Officer and additional staff to assist with the elections. The Special General Meeting of the WFI, where the elections will be conducted, is scheduled for July 4, 2023. However, Justice Kumar has the authority to determine the exact date for the elections, whether it is on July 4 or a few days later.

"The IOA has to take steps forward to conduct the elections of the WFI Executive Committee and are pleased to appoint you as Returning Officer to conduct the elections of the WFI. You may consider appointing one Assistant Returning Officer and other staff to assist in conducting the elections," said IOA joint secretary and acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey in a letter to Justice (Retd) Kumar.

The United World Wrestling, which had warned of a potential suspension if the WFI failed to hold elections within the 45-day deadline, has been informed of the latest developments. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also been made aware of the situation.

The WFI consists of 25 affiliated units, including the union territories of Chandigarh and Delhi. Each state unit can send two representatives, each with one vote, making a total of 50 votes in the electoral college for the WFI elections. According to the WFI constitution, the state units can only nominate representatives who are members of their respective executive bodies. It remains uncertain what will happen if eligible candidates associated with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh decide to file their nominations for the elections. Singh's son Karan was the vice president in the previous WFI setup and is also linked to the UP wrestling association. Additionally, his son-in-law Vishal Singh is the president of the Bihar Wrestling Association, making them both eligible to contest as state body representatives.

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