WFI Suspension: Sports Ministry asked IOA to form an ad-hoc committee

The Indian Wrestling Association is once again going to be handed over to an ad-hoc committee. The Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc committee to look after the functioning of the Indian Wrestling Association. In the month of May this year, former wrestling association president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was asked to stay away from the work of the association. In such a situation, only a three-member ad-hoc committee was looking after the functioning of the union. The same committee conducted the elections of the wrestling association and on December 21, Sanjay Singh was elected the new president.

Sanjay Singh was strongly opposed and he took some arbitrary decisions. Because of this, the Sports Ministry has suspended the entire wrestling association. After this, news is coming that now again the ad-hoc committee will look after the functioning of the Sangh. According to sources in news agency PTI, the Union Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of the Indian Wrestling Association.

In the month of April this year, the Olympic Committee had formed an ad-hoc committee. Apart from Indian Wushu Association President Bupender Singh Bajwa and rifle coach Suma Shirur, a retired High Court judge was also included in it.

What happened so far in the wrestling association dispute?

*In January 2023, wrestlers accused Brijbhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and in the next few months, Brijbhushan had to distance himself from the wrestling association.

*Due to no action being taken against Brijbhushan, the wrestlers sat on strike for 40 days, ended the strike when there was talk of investigation and FIR against them.

*The ad-hoc committee continued to look after the functioning of the wrestling association and elections for the wrestling association were held on 21 December. Sanjay Singh, close to Brij Bhushan, became the president in the elections.

*Protests started as soon as Sanjay Singh became the president, Sakshi left wrestling and Bajrang returned the Padma Shri.

*Sports Ministry suspended wrestling association. Wrestler happy with this decision, Bajrang talked about accepting Padma Shri.

*Now the ad-hoc committee will look after the functioning of the wrestling association, fresh elections are expected.