Newly elected Wrestling Federation of India suspended by Union Sports Ministry; Here's the reason

In the aftermath of Sakshi Malik hanging up her boots and Bajrang Punia returning his Padma Shri following the election of Sanjay Singh as the Wrestling Federation of India President, the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the newly elected WFI.

Brij Bhushan's close aide Sanjay Singh was recently elected as the WFI chief but his presidency also stands cancelled.

The Sports Ministry suspended the Federation after the newly-elected body made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" to prepare.

"The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. We have not terminated the Federation but suspended till further orders. They just need to follow the due process and the rules," a sports ministry official told PTI.

The source further explained the reasons for suspension.

"Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

"This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.

"As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee," said the ministry's source.