Xtra Time Web Desk: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) faces an indefinite suspension by the United World Wrestling (UWW) due to its failure to conduct scheduled elections. The WFI, India’s governing body for wrestling, was originally slated to hold elections in June 2023. However, repeated postponements ensued due to protests from Indian wrestlers and legal challenges from state units.
Consequently, Indian wrestlers will compete as ‘neutral athletes’ in the upcoming Olympic-qualifying World Championships, as the ad-hoc panel led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa did not meet the 45-day deadline for elections. Fortunately, Indian athletes can still participate under the Indian flag at the Asian Games, commencing on September 23, as entries were sent by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) rather than the WFI.
The elections, initially set for August 12, saw four candidates, including Sanjay Singh and Darshan Lal, nominated for key positions within the WFI. The federation faced prior suspensions in January and May, following protests by top Indian wrestlers who alleged sexual harassment by then-president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Currently, the day-to-day operations of the WFI are overseen by the ad-hoc committee constituted by the Indian Olympic Association.
Notably, the UWW had warned of suspension if the elections were delayed further. Maharashtra and Tripura will not have representatives in the elections, as their claims were deemed “ineligible” by the Returning Officer, and Tripura has remained disaffiliated since 2016.