After the Union Sports Ministry suspended the new governing body of the Indian Wrestling Federation, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has set up an interim committee to manage the federation’s activities.
Bhupendra Singh Bajwa has been appointed as the Chairman of this committee. MM Sowmiya and Manjusha Tanwar are members.
In a letter issued by the Indian Olympic Association, it stated that the newly elected President and administrators of the Indian Wrestling Federation have taken arbitrary decisions in violation of the rules of the federation. The Indian Olympic Association recently came to know that the annulment of the results was against the good governance and principles followed by the IOC and against the rules. So, it appointed an ad hoc committee to manage the wrestling federation. The new management team will ensure fair play, accountability, and transparency.
Role of this committee:
This recently appointed committee will carry out the selection of male and female players, submission of entries for participation of players in international competitions, coordinating games, handling bank accounts, managing the website, and other activities of the Indian Wrestling Federation.
Earlier, the Wrestling Federation of India election was held in Delhi on December 21, which was postponed several times due to the protests of the players and lawsuits filed by various state wrestling associations. The results were declared on the same day. Sanjay Singh, a close aide of ex-president Brij Bhushan Singh who was accused of sexism, won the election by securing 40 votes out of 47. Similarly, Brij Bhushan’s team won most of the administrative positions.
Protest against the New committee:
Wrestler Sakshi Malik has announced her retirement from wrestling to protest the selection of Sanjay Singh as the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India. Wrestler Bajrang Punia announced his retirement from wrestling and handed over his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Modi and left the award at the door of the Prime Minister’s residence on the 22nd. This news hits the IOA
Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh, who has been selected as the president of the Indian Wrestling Federation, has announced that the national-level wrestling tournaments for under 15 and 20 years will be held in Nandini Nagar, Konda, Uttar Pradesh by the end of this year.
The central government on Sunday (Dec 24) announced the newly appointed committee was suspended, the governing body of the Indian Wrestling Federation amid widespread displeasure over the new administration.
Following this, the Central Sports Department asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an interim body to manage the Indian Wrestling Federation.
In a letter written to the IOA by the sports department, the interim body had said that it would look after all the affairs of the wrestling body, including the selection of players.
It is worth noting that an ad hoc committee has been appointed by IOA in this context.
