Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, is contesting WFI polls for president’s put up in opposition to Anita Sheoran. (Image: ANI)
Sanjay Singh claimed that round 700 grapplers would take part within the Senior National Championship in Pune from January 29-31, an announcement that didn’t go down effectively with the ministry, which had suspended the nationwide federation.
The Sports Ministry on Tuesday warned of authorized motion in opposition to suspended Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh for making “absolutely baseless and mischievous” claims with regard to authorities recognition to WFI and reiterated that any match organised by the physique shall be handled as “unsanctioned”.
Last Saturday, Sanjay Singh claimed that round 700 grapplers would take part within the Senior National Championship in Pune from January 29-31, an announcement that didn’t go down effectively with the ministry, which had suspended the nationwide federation simply three days after the formation of its new physique for violating its personal structure.
“…Certain claims are being made by you pertaining to the recognition of the currently under-suspension Executive Committee of the WFI and about the competitions being held by you at Pune are being made, which are again absolutely baseless and mischievous,” the ministry stated within the letter addressed to Sanjay Singh.
“The Ministry has already vide its letter dated 7.1.2024, addressed to you and copies of which were endorsed to affiliate units of WFI and State Governments/Union Territories, made this entire issue categorically clear.
“It is once again informed that any championships or competitions organized by the suspended Executive Committee members of WFI, will be treated as unsanctioned and unrecognized competitions,” the ministry added within the letter.
The nationwide physique was suspended by the Sports Ministry on December 24, simply three days after it held its election for violating its personal structure after it introduced to host the 2023 age group nationals in Gonda, UP within the final week of December.
The Sports Ministry had since maintained that the Nationals organised by WFI won’t be recognised.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has since arrange an advert-hoc committee to look into the day-to-day affairs of WFI on the directive of Sports Ministry.
“In light of the above, you are hereby strongly advised to desist from making any further unsubstantiated claims regarding the status of the Wrestling Federation of India.
“Please be advised that failure to adhere to this caution may compel the Ministry to consider further legal action, including but not limited to legal proceedings for spreading misinformation and unsubstantiated claims and any other relevant charges as per the laws of the country,” the ministry stated.
The ministry letter additional acknowledged that Sanjay Singh’s remarks are “causing confusion and anxiety among the athletes and others concerned with wrestling”.
The advert-hoc physique, led by Bhupendra Singh Bajwa, had introduced a separate senior nationwide championship to be held in Jaipur from February 2-5.
The Sports Ministry suspended the WFI after its newly elected physique made a “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” to organize.
The WFI elections had been held on December 21 with Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of former president Brij Bhushan, and his panel profitable the polls by massive margins.
Brij Bhushan was accused of sexual harassment by star wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik.
The transfer to droop the WFI got here after Sakshi introduced her retirement from wrestling at a press briefing.
Later, protesting the election of Sanjay Singh as the brand new WFI chief, Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri.
