The Ministry of Sports, India, took a decisive step by suspending the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) under the leadership of chief Sanjay Singh, citing breaches of the WFI constitution. The suspension followed the WFI’s hurried announcement of hosting wrestling nationals for the U-15 and U-20 age groups within the next seven days.
The ministry criticized the rushed announcement, stating that it didn’t provide adequate notice to the wrestlers and was a clear violation of the WFI constitution’s provisions. Emphasizing the necessity for decisions to be approved by the Executive Committee (EC), the ministry highlighted the constitutional requirements for notice periods and quorums for meetings, which the WFI failed to adhere to.
Moreover, the ministry expressed concerns about the newly elected body’s apparent ties to former office bearers, disregarding the Sports Code. Allegations were made regarding the control of federation operations by former officials, potentially linked to premises where allegations of player harassment were raised and are currently under court scrutiny.
In light of these irregularities, the Ministry directed the WFI to halt all activities until further orders.
Sanjay Singh’s affiliation with former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, facing allegations of sexual harassment, added complexity to the situation. This association led to notable protests from prominent wrestlers, including Olympic gold medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, against Brij Bhushan Singh’s leadership earlier this year.
Recent developments saw Sakshi Malik announcing her immediate retirement from the sport in protest against Sanjay Singh’s election as the new WFI chief. Simultaneously, Bajrang Punia returned his prestigious civilian honor, the Padma Shri, as a mark of dissent.
The Ministry’s suspension underscores the need for adherence to constitutional protocols within sports federations, ensuring fair and transparent governance, while the dissent among renowned wrestlers amplifies concerns over the federation’s leadership and decision-making process.
