BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with the newly-elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Sanjay Singh on the former’s residence, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Union Sports Ministry has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India physique below the management of newly elected president Sanjay Singh.
The Ministry introduced its choice in an official launch on December 24 citing hasty choices by the newly elected physique and that it has proven full disregard for the present guidelines and rules.
WFI’s newly elected president Sanjay Singh introduced on December 21 that the U-15 and U-20 nationals would happen in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) earlier than the top of this 12 months. Citing the announcement, the Ministry mentioned the announcement was in opposition to the the foundations and a 15-day discover was required in order that gamers may put together.
“Haven’t terminated WFI”
“The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. We have not terminated the Federation but suspended till further orders. They just need to follow the due process and the rules,” a Sports Ministry official advised PTI.
The supply additional defined the explanations for suspension.
“Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.
“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.
“As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” mentioned the Ministry’s supply.
Embroiled in controversies
Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of the outgoing chief of WFI Brij Bhushan Singh, swept the polls and was elected president of the physique together with his panel successful most of the posts on December 21.
Soon after the elections, Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik introduced her choice to retire from the game in a dramatic announcement as she saved her sneakers on the desk. “We wanted a female president but that did not happen,” a teary-eyed Sakshi mentioned.
Ahead of the elections, Olympic medal-winning grapplers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi had repeatedly requested Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to cease anybody related to Brij Bhushan from contesting the WFI polls.
Olympic medallist grappler Bajrang Punia on December 22 introduced his choice to return his Padma Shri award in protest of the election of Sanjay Singh to the highest publish of WFI. “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to say. This is my statement,” learn a publish shared by the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist wrestler on X, previously Twitter.
Deaflympics gold medallist Virender Singh Yadav, higher referred to as Goonga Pehlwan additionally determined to return his Padma Shri to the federal government on December 23, displaying solidarity with the nation’s high wrestlers who’ve objected to Mr. Singh’s election. “I will also return the Padma Shri for my sister and the country’s daughter. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malikkh,” Virender wrote on X.
(With inputs from PTI)
