The United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s world governing body, has provisionally suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the delay in holding its elections and failing to comply with the world body’s code of protection of athletes “considering the allegations (of sexual harassment of women wrestlers) against WFI’s former president” Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The decision means that Indian wrestlers cannot compete under the Tricolour at the world championships, in Serbia from September 16. They will have to participate under a neutral flag.
The directive will apply to all UWW events till the suspension is revoked. However, India’s wrestlers will be able to compete under the national flag in Asian Games because it is organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
UWW said it issued a warning to India on July 3 “on the possible suspension of the WFI should elections not be held in due course.”
The world body said it referred the matter to its Disciplinary Chamber –the Disciplinary & Ethics commission of the UWW.
“It is our understanding that the elective general assembly has been postponed to an unknown date,” said UWW secretary-general Carlos Roy in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc panel now running WFI on Wednesday.
“The Wrestling Federation of India is imposed a provisional suspension with immediate effect until further notice,” he said.
“The Chairman of the Disciplinary Chamber has considered that the on one side the situation prevailing in the federation for at least six months, in particular the absence of a regularly elected president and a board, does not comply with the UWW regulations and the conditions for membership, and on the other side protection of athletes considering the allegations against the former President of the WFI and necessity to restore the functioning of the federation, are sufficient grounds to impose this measure,” he said.
Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and world championships medallists Vinesh Phogat have led a protest against Brij Bhusan Singh who is facing charges of “sexual harassment” in court. Brij Bhusan Sharan Singh finished three terms in office as president earlier this year and is not eligible to contest WFI elections.
Wrestlers can participate in UWW events but not under India flag. “Wrestlers and their support personnel (individuals with a high-performance, medical or technical role such as coaches, assistant coach, sport physicians or masseur) remain authorized to participate in all UWW sanctioned events (i.e. all events on the UWW calendar), however they shall do so under UWW flag.”
However, “others members of the federation (current board members, administrators, etc.) are not authorized to attend any UWW event until further notice.”
UWW had also issued a warning on May 30 asking Indian authorities to hold WFI elections within 45 days or face suspension.
In May, the wrestling world body said it was “monitoring” the situation in India while International Olympic Committee (IOC) too said it was in touch with UWW over the issue. UWW had issued a statement raising concerns about the protection of athletes as per its policy to “Safeguard Athletes from Harassment & Abuse.”
The world body also moved the Asian Championship scheduled to be in New Delhi last February.
WFI election has been delayed due to court cases. The Supreme Court, which had earlier vacated a stay on the elections, may hear the case on Friday.
The current stay on WFI elections came from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 11, one day before the polls. The Deepinder Hooda-led Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association had moved court pleading that it, and not Haryana Wrestling Association which was included, be allowed to take part in the elections.
When IOA acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey was reached for a reaction on UWW’s decision, he said: “We will issue a statement.”
The process for WFI elections started in July but was stayed twice by courts, first by the Guwahati High Court and then by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Singh loyalist Sanjay Kumar Singh and 2010 CWG champion Anita Sheoran, who has the support of the protesting wrestlers, are two candidates in fray for the president’s post.
“Today is a black day for Indian wrestling. Due to Brij Bhushan and his henchmen, the country’s wrestlers will not be able to play with the Tricolour. The Tricolour is the pride of the country and it is the dream of every player to run with the Tricolour in the field after winning. How much damage will this Brij Bhushan and his men do to the country,” said Punia and Malik on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Trials on Friday
The two-day selection trials for the world championships are scheduled in Patiala from Friday.
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