Sports ministry refuses to recognize events organised by suspended WFI body

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which is now suspended, does not have the right to hold the Senior National Championships, according to the Union Sports Ministry. It will be seen as “unsanctioned” and “unrecognised” if they hold a competition. Following the conclusion of the WFI elections last month, the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh declared that the U-15 and U-20 national teams would be hosted at Nandini Nagar in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year. Three days later, the Sports Ministry suspended the organisation.

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.
Refusing to acknowledge the committee, a stubborn Sanjay Singh declared he was prepared to seek legal counsel as well. “I have no faith in this committee. I grant you authority to organize an ad hoc committee. I’ll discuss this with the government. Will go to court if negotiations with the government fail and seek legal counsel to safeguard WFI,” Sanjay previously told ANI.

“The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Code) and the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 prohibit the use of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ name, logos, and insignia for any purpose other than those listed above. You must immediately stop using the Wrestling Federation of India’s letterhead for these prohibited uses. The correspondence stated that “any championships or competitions organized by you, the suspended WFI Executive Committee members, will be treated as unsanctioned and unrecognized competitions.”

Participation certificates and medals from championships held by the WFI have no bearing on anything and won’t be taken into account for government schemes, government job appointments, school and college admission under sports quotas, sports awards, etc. The letter also stated that only National Wrestling Championships for various age groups held under the direction of the IOA-appointed Ad hoc Committee for Wrestling will be recognized as sanctioned championships for wrestling under the Sports Code and that athletes competing in these National championships will be eligible for all government benefits until further orders.”

After the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, there has been a significant change in Indian wrestling. Sakshi fell down in tears as she announced her retirement from wrestling during a press appearance 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 this was going on, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia surrendered his Padma Shri award, and two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat declared that she would be returning her Arjuna Award and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.