Suspended WFI President Sanjay Singh took a big step, attacked the Sports Ministry
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Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) reminded the UWW (United World Wrestling) that as per the rules of the international body and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) charter, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ‘cannot exercise any control’ over the newly elected body. He asked UWW to immediately lift the temporary suspension imposed in August last year. Newly elected president of WFI Sanjay Singh In its letter to UWW President Nenad Lalovich, it also said that any interference by the IOA in wrestling should be considered ‘illegal’ by the UWW.
Sports Ministry suspended the organization
Sanjay Singh’s newly elected body was suspended by the Sports Ministry just three days after coming to power and an ad-hoc panel of IOA was again formed to look after the functioning of wrestling. Sanjay Singh said in his letter to Lalovich on Friday, ‘After the elections, the newly elected organization has taken charge of WFI and is looking after its functioning. We are waiting for the temporary suspension imposed by UWW to be lifted. Sanjay Singh is considered close to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Demand for intervention from UWW
He said, ‘We understand that we will remain a recognized member of the UWW. However, UWW has imposed a temporary suspension which was to be lifted after WFI conducts elections, which is mentioned in your letter dated 23 August 2023. Sanjay Singh had won the elections on 21 December by a huge margin. He also drew the attention of UWW to the Delhi High Court order which bars the IOA from interfering in the affairs of National Sports Federations.
High Court decision cited
He wrote in the letter, ‘We would also like to draw your attention to a decision of the Delhi High Court against IOA which was passed on August 6, 2023. It was said that IOA cannot exercise any control over any National Sports Federation (NSF). Any influence by the IOA would be illegal as the NSFs are independent institutions. Sanjay, who is close to former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, also explained how the IOA could violate these rules when Indian courts, UWW rules and the Olympic charter all claim the autonomy of the NSF.
Demand to withdraw suspension
He said, ‘As can be seen, be it the courts of India, UWW rules or the Olympic Charter, all three mandate the autonomy of the NSF and there is no controlling factor for the IOA to accept or reject the selection of the NSF. Maybe because the NSF will be elected as per its own constitution. Sanjay said, ‘Therefore we request you to accept the WFI elections as has been done by the UWW in the last several decades and also request to lift the temporary suspension of the WFI. IOA does not and cannot approve the election of any other NSF in India. It would not be appropriate to keep WFI as an exception for something which is not even legally correct.
Elections were held on the instructions of the Supreme Court
He said the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner under the directions of the Supreme Court and the IOA was informed about everything. Sanjay said, ‘The election was conducted in a transparent manner and the IOA was well aware of the entire process as all this was being done from the IOA office itself. Proper certificates of election were also issued to all the candidates by the returning officer. He also said that the ministry had issued a letter confirming the successful completion of the election process.
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