Ad hoc wrestling committee dissolved by IOA, WFI regains control of Indian wrestling (edited) – Firstpost

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday ended the drama surrounding the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by dissolving the ad hoc committee tasked with running its day-to-day affairs and returning control of the body to the Sanjay-led WFI Singh. Executive Committee.

This development comes shortly after United World Wrestling (UWW), the organization in charge of the sport worldwide, lifted the ban it had imposed on the WFI as well as the successful completion of selection trials for Asian Championships and Olympic qualifiers due to take place in 2017. Kyrgyzstan in April, with the ad hoc committee headed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa having overseen the trials.

“The decision to dissolve the ad hoc committee comes in light of the lifting of the ban on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the successful completion of the selection trials by the ad hoc committee appointed by the IOA as in pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court,” an IOA order read.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) dissolves the ad hoc committee for wrestling. The Wrestling Federation of India gains complete administrative control of the sport under United World Wrestling (UWW). pic.twitter.com/DxBhWf3NDe

– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 18, 2024

The ad hoc committee was formed in December last year after the Sports Ministry suspended the WFI, which received a shot in the arm when the suspension imposed on it by the UWW was lifted in February .

Read | UWW supports WFI and states that it will not accept entries from any other entity

WFI chief Sanjay Singh thanked the Indian Olympic Association for giving its elected committee control of the national federation.

“We thank IOA for giving us full control of the WFI. We will give every facility to the wrestlers. We will be hosting a national camp soon and if wrestlers wish to train abroad we will facilitate that as well.

“The focus now is on the Olympics. We hope 5-6 wrestlers will qualify,” Singh told PTI.

The three-member committee, chaired by Bajwa, was constituted on December 23 after the newly elected WFI, led by Singh, allegedly flouted its own rules.

Earlier this month, the ad hoc committee held the trials to select teams for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan which will take place next month.

The protesting duo of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia participated in the trials and the former qualified for the Olympic qualifiers in the 50 kg category.

Read | Why Vinesh competing in two categories in wrestling events could lead to more problems

After the successful trials, the reins of the sport were officially handed over to WFI despite the continued suspension imposed by the Ministry of Sports.

The IOA has asked WFI to appoint a “Safeguarding Committee” to address concerns of sexual harassment and other issues such as compliance.

“…as requested by the UWW, it is imperative that the WFI appoints a safeguarding committee/lead at the earliest to address concerns of abuse and harassment and to ensure compliance with all rules, regulations and guidelines set out by the UWW and others. competent authorities,” the IOA letter adds.

“Furthermore, the WFI is also responsible for conducting the Athletes’ Commission elections within specific time frames in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.

“This step is essential to promote athlete representation and participation in WFI decision-making processes.”

The order also ordered the WFI to “repay the loan” given by the IOA to the ad hoc committee charged with handling wrestling affairs when the national body was suspended.

“The day I won the election, you know it was a crown of thorns for me. Despite our limitations, we have tried everything from organizing the national championships (in Pune) to providing officials and umpires to the ad hoc committee for the recent trials after the tribunal (of the High Court of Delhi) prevented us from holding trials (in New Delhi). . I am sure this is the end of the fight for us,” Singh added.

A source close to the developments said they were “surprised” by the IOA’s decision to dissolve the ad hoc committee.

“The Sports Ministry had suspended the WFI in December last year and is yet to issue an order to revoke the suspension. Besides, the matter is sub judice, so it is surprising that the ad hoc committee was dissolved by the IOA,” he said.

_With PTI inputs
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