The Sports Ministry says it will not recognize events organized by the suspended WFI
Former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brijbhushan Sharan Singh
The Sports Ministry on Sunday said the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has no authority to organize the Senior National Championships and any event organized by the body will be deemed “not sanctioned” and “not recognised” considered.
Three days after the WFI conducted its polls last month, the ministry had suspended the sports body for several rule violations, following which the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a three-member ad hoc panel to manage the day-to-day running of the federation . Affairs.
However, a defiant Sanjay Singh, chairman of the suspended WFI, said they will soon organize the national championships and stressed that they do not recognize the suspension of the newly elected body nor the ad-hoc panel.
“It has come to the notice of the Ministry that you have issued a circle bearing No. WFI/Senior National/Maharashtra/2024, dated 06.01.2024, on the letterhead of the Wrestling Federation of India regarding the conduct of the Senior National Wrestling Championship 2023 in Pune (Maharashtra) from 2931 January 2024,” the ministry said in a letter.
“As per the order of this ministry dated 24.12.2023, you have no authority to issue any such circular or use the letterhead of the Wrestling Federation of India claiming association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports .
“You must immediately cease using the letterhead of the Wrestling Federation of India for such prohibited purposes and using the name, logos and insignia of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in violation of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Act) and the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
In the strongly worded letter to Sanjay Singh, the ministry further said that “any championships or competitions organized by you, the suspended members of the WFI Executive Committee, will be treated as unsanctioned and unrecognized competitions.
“Certificates of participation and medals won in championships organized by the WFI will not be of any importance and will not be considered for participation under any government scheme or appointment in government jobs/for admission to schools and colleges under sports quota, sports awards, etc. …
“Until further notice, only National Wrestling Championships for different age categories organized under the supervision of the IOA-appointed Ad Hoc Committee on Wrestling will be treated as sanctioned and recognized wrestling championships under the Sports Code and all government benefits will accrue solely to the athletes participating in such national championships organized by the ad hoc committee.”
The ad hoc panel had announced that it will organize the senior national championships in Jaipur from February 2 to 5.
Indian wrestling has witnessed an unprecedented power struggle in the past year. In protest against Sanjay, who is a close associate of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri and Vinesh Phogat returned her Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna.
Sakshi Malik had retired from wrestling the day Sanjay won the WFI president election.
“This is a very positive step by the sports ministry and government of India. It will be a great milestone for all aspiring wrestlers,” said Rohtash Singh, president of Harayana Amatuer Wrestling Association, one of the factions of the state federation.
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First print: January 7, 2024 | 11:29 PM IST