WFI says its model will work “at no cost to the government” if the sports ministry does not lift the suspension – Firstpost

New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday decided at its Extraordinary General Meeting (SGM) that it will start operating on the ‘no cost to government’ model if its demand for lifting of suspension is not considered by the Ministry of Sports.

The WFI held its EGM in Noida after United World Wrestling (the sport’s global governing body) lifted its suspension and the IOA also dissolved the ad hoc committee that managed the affairs of the body.

These two events allowed elected officials to regain control of the federation, even if the government has not yet lifted its suspension.

The government had alleged that the WFI had flouted the rules and suspended it, three days after holding elections to elect Sanjay Singh as president.

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All 25 state associations attended the SGM, although general secretary Prem Chand Lochab, who belongs to the rival camp, did not participate in the meeting.

“It was agreed that we would ask the government to lift the suspension. The UWW has lifted the suspension and the ad hoc committee has also been dissolved, so there is no point in continuing the suspension of the body,” a WFI source told PTI.

“If the ministry does not consider the request and decides not to provide financial assistance, then we have unanimously decided that we will start operating at no cost to the government,” the source added.

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The government funds wrestlers’ training, competition and exhibition trips abroad.
If the WFI continues this project, it will also have to organize and run the national camps itself.

A TWO-THIRD MAJORITY IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ELECTION TO A NEW POSITION

The WFI also made an amendment to its Constitution to ensure that any candidate standing for election to a new position does not have to win by a two-thirds majority.

“As of now, only a simple majority will be enough if a joint secretary or secretary decides to run for another position, such as president. Only if a candidate tries to be elected to the position he occupies will he have to win by a two-thirds majority,” the source explained.

In the recent WFI elections, Sanjay Singh was expected to win the elections for the post of president with a two-thirds majority because he was joint secretary in the previous regime.

SOC RECOGNITION NOT REQUIRED FOR STATES

The WFI removed from its Constitution the clause that required a state association to meet the condition of being recognized by the State Olympic Committee (SOC) to affiliate with the national body.

“From now on, only the recognition of the WFI is enough for a state association. Some state organizations had abused this clause to present themselves as real organizations despite their suspension from the WFI. They have shown their appreciation to the SOC to affirm that they are true state affiliated agencies. We removed that,” the source informed.

ALL STATES MUST FOLLOW THE NATIONAL SPORTS CODE

All 25 state bodies were asked to ensure compliance with the Sports Code during the conduct and operation of elections. Age and seniority guidelines must be respected by all.