Sports Ministry suspends WFI's new body led by Sanjay Singh over violations

The Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India, for not abiding by the existing rules and regulations. The WFI elections, which took place on December 21, resulted in the victory of Sanjay Singh, a close aide of the former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Following Sanjay Singh’s victory, Olympian Sakshi Malik had announced her retirement from wrestling, soon after, Bajrang Punia also returned his Padma Shri award as a mark of protest.

The suspension comes after an announcement made by the newly elected president, Sanjay Singh, regarding the U-15 and U-20 nationals scheduled to be held in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the year's end. A sports ministry official stated that the new body has not been terminated but suspended till further orders. Additionally, the Sports Ministry has requested the Indian Olympic Association to establish a temporary body, known as an ad-hoc body, to oversee and administer the operations of the Wrestling Federation of India.

"Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year. This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI. As per clause 3 (e) of the preamble of the constitution of WFI, the object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange the holding of Senior, Junior, and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee," said a sports ministry official to PTI. Interestingly, the Union Sports Ministry is yet to issue a statement on Malik’s untimely retirement, and Punia returning his accolade.


In response to the suspension, Sanjay Singh said that the WFI intends to appeal the suspension by clarifying to the government that it has not violated any regulations in its decision-making. He mentioned that if the matter remains unresolved, the WFI may consider pursuing legal options. “We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options,” said Sanjay Singh.


After Sanjay Singh assumed his role, came the announcement of the U-15 and U-20 nationals scheduled to be held in Nandini Nagar, Gonda. Conveying her apprehension, Sakshi Malik took to twitter and questioned why the national championships were being organized in Gonda, which she referred to as Brij Bhushan's territory. "I have given up wrestling but I am worried since last night about those junior women wrestlers who are calling me and telling me that the junior nationals are going to be held from 28th and the new wrestling federation has decided to hold it in Nandani Nagar, Gonda. Gonda is the area of Brijbhushan. Now imagine in what circumstances the junior women wrestlers will go there to wrestle. Is there no other place in this country to host nationals other than Nandani Nagar?,"posted Malik.


Speaking on the issue, former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, "Whatever I had to say, I said yesterday. I have taken retirement from wrestling and the politics related to wrestling. As far as meeting Union HM Amit Shah is concerned, even if we meet, I will not discuss wrestling. Sanjay Singh should do his work, I am doing my work. The wrestling issue is between the government and the elected federation, I have nothing to do with this."


During an emotionally charged press conference last week, Sakshi Malik symbolically placed her shoes on the table as a form of protest against Sanjay Singh's election. She also declared her decision to retire from wrestling. This move followed allegations made by several wrestlers accusing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing female wrestlers. The athletes had staged protests against Singh for several weeks earlier this year. Following suit, Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri award. As an act of solidarity, Virender Singh Yadav, also known as Goonga Pehlwan, a Deaflympics gold medallist, decided to return his Padma Shri to the government.​