IOA forms an ad hoc committee to oversee WFI affairs amid administrative body suspension

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday has set up a temporary committee to oversee the working of the Federation of India (WFI) following the suspension of its newly elected administrative body on Sunday.

"The Indian Olympic Association has recently become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of the WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by the IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA appointed ad hoc committee,” reads the letter issued by the IOC Chief.

The ad hoc committee will be led by Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, with members MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar. The IOA justified the formation of this interim committee by emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair play, accountability, and transparency in the governance of the Wrestling Federation of India. This move comes as part of efforts to address concerns and maintain the effective functioning of the WFI during this period of administrative review and suspension.

The panel headed by Sanjay Singh, seen as a confidante of former Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who was accused of sexual harassment, was suspended on Sunday for not abiding by the WFI Constitution, amid a flurry of protests by wrestlers including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Vignesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia.