National camps from February 9, says ad-hoc panel but suspended WFI has other plans

The wrestling federation crisis in India deepended further on January 01 when the suspended national body refused to recognise the Indian Olympic Association-constituted ad-hoc panel.

On the same day, the Bhupender Bajwa-led panel announced the commencement of senior men's and women's national camps from February 09.

The national camps begin four days after the national championships conclude.

But, Sanjay Singh, the newly elected WFI president told news agency PTI, 'We got elected democratically. The Returning Officer had signed the papers, how do they ignore that. We do not recognise this ad-hoc panel.'

He added that the wrestling federation does not recognise Sports Ministry's suspension either and vowed to conduct national championships.

'How will they (ad-hoc panel) organise Nationals if our state associations will not send the teams. We will organise our National Championship soon. We are soon calling the Executive Committee meeting. The notice of the EC meeting will be sent in a day or two and we will have the Nationals organised before they do it,' Singh said.

If the WFI goes on to organise its own Nationals the crisis will take a turn for the worst.

The ad-hoc panel has already announced dates for the national championships from February 02-05.

(with PTI inputs)

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