Sports Ministry unlikely to go back on its decision to dismiss Sanjay Singh led WFI body

Negotiations with Sanjay Singh, the suspended president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), are improbable, according to the Union Sports Ministry. Even if Sanjay Singh agrees to adhere to the ministry’s standards, insiders claim that he is unlikely to be restored to his position as president. The ministry is adamant that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will be managed by an ad hoc committee, and that the body will strive to hold new elections.

The Sports Ministry will not be involved in the situation, though, if Sanjay Singh wins his legal battle and his petition is granted. According to sources, this decision was made for the greater benefit of the sport and its associated activities, which had been completely suspended for about eleven months. The country’s top sports organization and all of its office holders had already been suspended by the Union Sports Ministry. Concurrently, the Ministry directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to establish an ad hoc committee to oversee and govern the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) following its decision.

In view of the latest events, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday announced that Bhupinder Singh Bajwa would chair the newly established ad hoc committee tasked with managing the day-to-day operations of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) effective immediately. The Union Sports Ministry suspended the whole WFI governing council prior to the IOC’s pronouncement. The ad hoc committee was established by the IOA at the ministry’s request. In the recently formed ad hoc committee, MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar will support Bajwa in managing the WFI.

After the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, there has been a significant change in Indian wrestling. The wrestlers who were protesting against former WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh were greatly disappointed when Sanjay Singh, an adviser to Singh, was elected as the new president.

A tearful Sakshi Mallikh declared her retirement from wrestling during a press conference in the nation’s capital following Singh’s victory in the WFI elections. But after the newly elected body was suspended by the Union Sports Ministry, the WFI body saw a significant turn of events. As ace wrestler Bajrang Punia also returned his Padma Shri in protest, two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat also returned her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award.