The Centre has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) until further notice amidst ongoing controversies revolving around the sporting body. This comes after BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singhs loyalist Sanjay Kumar Singh was elected WFI President last week.Centre suspends elect WFI chiefIn protest, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from the sport. She accused the polls of being a sham with Singhs aide taking charge.A WFI source informed PTI that the new committee violated the federations constitution. Sanjay Singh hastily announced under-15 and under-20 national championships in Uttar Pradeshs Gonda without due notice or approval.Union Sports Ministry suspends the newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India after the newly elected president Sanjay Singh announced U-15 and U-20 nationals to take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year. pic.twitter.com/eMZyNK914Z— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023WFIs objectives include arranging national competitions as per international rules at Executive Committee-selected venues. But they werent consulted before the Gonda announcement.What Sanjay Singh say on his suspension On suspension of newly elected body of WFI by Union Sports Ministry, Sanjay Singh said, I was in the flight. Ive not received any letter yet. First, let me see the letter, only then I will comment. I heard that some activity has been stopped.#WATCH | Ranchi: On suspension of newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by Union Sports Ministry, Sanjay Singh (who was elected as new WFI president) says, I was in the flight. Ive not received any letter yet. First, let me see the letter, only then I will… pic.twitter.com/KGxPti0mgy— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023What did Sakshi Malik sayAt an emotional press meet last week, Malik placed her shoes on the table in defiance and quit wrestling. This followed weeks of protests by athletes against Brij Bhushan over sexual harassment allegations.We slept on roads for 40 days with support from across India. If his partner heads WFI, Im done, she declared.मैंने कुश्ती छोड़ दी है पर कल रात से परेशान हूँ वे जूनियर महिला पहलवान क्या करें जो मुझे फ़ोन करके बता रही हैं कि दीदी इस 28 तारीख़ से जूनियर नेशनल होने हैं और वो नयी कुश्ती फेडरेशन ने नन्दनी नगर गोंडा में करवाने का फ़ैसला लिया है।गोंडा बृजभूषण का इलाक़ा है। अब आप सोचिए कि…— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) December 23, 2023Explaining the rushed competition dates, Brij Bhushan cited an 11-month gap in national events due to the turmoil. Wrestlers year will be affected if meets dont happen by December 31, he claimed.But Malik questioned holding junior championships in Brij Bhushans stronghold of Gonda, endangering young athletes. Is there no other venue in India she asked on X account.Punia returns his Padma Shri to PMAfter Singhs election, ace wrestler Bajrang Punia, who had been at the forefront of the wrestlers protests, said he would return his Padma Shri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am returning my Padma Shri award to the Prime Minister, he wrote on X.मैं अपना पद्मश्री पुरस्कार प्रधानमंत्री जी को वापस लौटा रहा हूँ. कहने के लिए बस मेरा यह पत्र है. यही मेरी स्टेटमेंट है। 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/PYfA9KhUg9— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) December 22, 2023What does this indicate With their careers at stake, urgent reforms are needed to restore wrestlers trust in WFI. The immediate suspension indicates authorities recognise the severity of the crisis.However, the oversight mechanism must be strengthened to ensure athlete welfare is prioritised over partisan interests. Else Indian wrestling risks losing its brightest stars due to the ongoing mismanagement.
