WFI decides against legal challenge, seeks reconciliation with Sports Ministry to overturn suspension

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has chosen a path of reconciliation with the Sports Ministry, aiming to reverse its suspension through dialogue rather than legal confrontation. This decision emerged from the WFI's Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Sanjay Singh and attended by 12 other elected members. Notably, Secretary General Prem Chand Lochab and Senior Vice President Devender Kadian were absent from the meeting.

Initially inclined to seek judicial intervention, the WFI has now opted for a more conciliatory approach. "We do not want a clash with the government. We are not moving court as of today. We will seek time from the ministry and a delegation will try and speak with the government," Sanjay Singh explained to PTI post-meeting.

Singh expressed a desire to understand the prerequisites for lifting the suspension, similar to the conditions set by UWW when it suspended the federation. The WFI is also committed to holding the Nationals in Pune, as per its constitution, despite the ad-hoc panel's plans to organize a separate event in Jaipur.

25 state associations have reportedly backed the WFI's Nationals in Pune, expressing this in communications to the ministry and UWW. Wrestlers selected through state trials have already secured travel arrangements for Pune, where the WFI's Nationals are scheduled from January 29-31. Meanwhile, the ad-hoc panel intends to hold senior Nationals from February 3 in Jaipur and age group championships in Gwalior.

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(With PTI inputs)