In a decisive move, the United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for wrestling, has thrown its weight behind the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), declaring that it will only accept entries for international competitions from the WFI and no other entity.
This announcement marks a significant stance in the ongoing saga surrounding wrestling in India. The UWW's declaration comes hot on the heels of a ruling by the Delhi High Court, which directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)-appointed ad-hoc panel to oversee trials for the upcoming Asian Championships and Continental Olympic Qualifiers.
This decision came after elite wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik raised concerns over the WFI's authority to conduct trials, given its suspension by the Sports Ministry.
In a letter addressed to WFI President Sanjay Singh, UWW President Nenad Lalovic underscored that only the UWW-affiliated WFI holds the authority to submit entries for international competitions.
Lalovic reiterated that since the suspension imposed on the WFI was lifted on February 13, 2024, the UWW recognizes the WFI as any other duly functioning affiliated federation.
Lalovic emphasized the exclusive responsibility of national federations affiliated with the UWW to select and announce their teams for various competitions, including Continental Championships, World Championships, Olympic Games Qualifying Tournaments, and Ranking Series.
He made it clear that registrations must be carried out solely by the affiliated national federations using the official competition administration system provided by the UWW.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the wrestling landscape in India, particularly regarding the participation of Indian wrestlers in the crucial Asian Olympic Qualifier scheduled for April 19-21 in Bishkek.
With the ad-hoc panel announcing trials for March 10-11 in Sonepat for men and Patiala for women, the uncertainty surrounding Indian wrestlers' representation looms large.
The UWW's firm stance reflects its commitment to upholding the integrity of international wrestling competitions and maintaining the autonomy of its affiliated national federations.
As the Indian wrestling community navigates through this challenging period, the focus remains on resolving the crisis and ensuring a fair and transparent process for athlete selection and participation on the global stage.
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