Wrestling Federation of India suspended by World governing body; Indian Wrestlers barred from representing India till suspension

In a major embarrassment, the Wrestling Federation of India was suspended by United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body, on Thursday for an indefinite period and with immediate effect. This comes as a result of the WFI's repeated failure to conduct the organizational elections. The elections were supposed to be held in June 2023, but they were postponed. The WFI has been mired in several controversies since several medal-winning woman wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik had accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Federation’s president of misconduct, alleged cases of sexual harassment against him. Bhusan is also a BJP MP who had refused to step aside from the federation while dismissing all allegations against him. Several wrestlers had even held a month-long protest in Delhi.

Suspension of WFI by the world body means that Indian wrestlers even if they qualify to compete in world championships, they will not be able to represent India. It also means if any of the Indian wrestlers manage to win a medal, the Indian flag will not be hoisted at the podium of the world championship.

The protesting wrestlers had alleged that Bhusan enjoyed the patronage of the BJP, the reason why he wasn’t removed from the post even in the eye of a month-long protest. Earlier in June during the month-long agitation, WFI was warned by the UWW stating India’s membership could be suspended if elections were not held within a 45-day deadline. “Failing to do so may lead UWW to suspend the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete under a neutral flag.”, UWW had threatened.

Despite this setback, Indian wrestlers are eligible to compete under the Indian flag at the Asian Games starting on September 23, as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted the entries, not the WFI.

The elections for 15 key positions within the WFI's governing body were slated for August 12. A few candidates, including Sanjay Singh from Uttar Pradesh, an associate of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, nominated himself for the position of president. Another nomination was filed for the position of general secretary, filed by Darshan Lal of the Chandigarh wrestling body, and SP Deswal of Uttarakhand was nominated for treasurer from the Brij Bhushan camp.

The WFI has been marred by controversies, leading to its suspension twice, first in January and then in May. Allegations of misconduct and harassment, including claims that the then-president Brij Bhushan sexually harassed female wrestlers, have further made the situation critical. Presently, the daily operations of the WFI are being overseen by the ad-hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association, headed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa.

The selection trials for the World Championship were initially scheduled for August 25 and 26 in Patiala, but the future of this event now remains uncertain in the wake of the suspension of WFI by UWW.​