WFI plans to challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to reinstate the IOA's ad-hoc committee, expressing concern that such 'interference' could negatively impact the interests of wrestlers.

Aug. 16, 2024, 2:03 p.m.

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The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) slammed the Delhi High Court’s decision to restore the mandate of the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee for managing its everyday affairs, confirming on Friday its decision to challenge the order.

The Sanjay Singh-led WFI added that the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel’s “interference” could jeopardise the participation of Indian wrestlers in the upcoming World Championships.

The recent court order stemmed from a petition seeking a suspension of the WFI's activities and preventing it from functioning as the national governing body for the sport.

Advertisement Justice Sachin Datta, while issuing the interim order on the plea by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian, indicated the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) could reconstitute the committee that was previously headed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa.

The IOA disbanded the temporary panel on 4 April, while the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted its suspension on 13 February this year after the WFI conducted its elections.

“We are going to take it to double bench. The IOA had dissolved the ad-hoc panel . We will also approach world governing body UWW and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They had warned that outside interference may impact our athletes,” WFI President Sanjay Singh told PTI.

“Two World Championships are approaching. Indian wrestlers’ participation could be blocked,” he feared.

The U-17 World championship is scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan, from August 19-25, while the U-20 World Championship is set for Pontevedra, Spain, from September 2-8.

The UWW President, in his letter to the WFI President dated April 25, made it clear that the ad-hoc panel managing operations was not acceptable to them.

“In case any decision or order should be made against your federation, and a third party be designated to run the daily affairs of our sport in India in violation of the UWW Statutes, UWW would have no other option than to re-impose a temporary suspension of your federation until further notice, and which, this time, could maybe include your athletes,“UWW president Lalovic wrote.

Advertisement The government suspended the WFI on 24 December, 2023, three days after it elected new office bearers, for allegedly failing to adhere to the provisions of its own constitution when making decisions. The government requested the IOA to form a temporary committee to manage the federation's affairs.

On March 4th, the court had issued notices to the central government, WFI, and the ad-hoc committee in response to a petition filed by prominent wrestlers.

With PTI inputs