Following the suspension of the newly elected management of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Sports Ministry now directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to establish an interim body that will manage the responsibilities of WFI.
Writing to IOA President - P. T. Usha, the Sports Ministry authorizes the temporary panel to oversee and manage the operations of the WFI, including the selection of athletes.
The letter states, "Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI's former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI."
"This needs for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organizations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on the part of the IOA to make suitable arrangements for the interim period for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance is the sports body do not get jeopardized."
Among the other key responsibilities of the ad-hoc panel will include looking at and coordinating the participation of athletes in international events, as well as organizing national sports competitions.
The Sports Ministry earlier on Sunday, suspended the WFI's new leadership which was headed by Sanjay Kumar Singh - a close aide of Brij Bhushan for not following the rules and regulations associated with WFI. Soon after Singh was elected as WFI Chief, Wrestler Sakshi Malik announced to quit the sport.
Speaking on the suspension decision of the Sports Ministry, Sakshi Malik said, “I have not seen anything in writing yet. I don't know whether only Sanjay Singh has been suspended or the entire body has been suspended. Our fight was not with the government. Our fight is for women wrestlers, I have announced my retirement but want the upcoming wrestlers should get justice.”
Follow us
