'I Don't Accept Ad Hoc Panel, Will Seek Legal Recourse': Sanjay Singh On Committee Formed To Run WFI

IOA formed a three-member ad hoc panel to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI after the sports ministry suspended the wrestling national body.

WFI chief Sanjay Singh.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Sanjay Singh, president of the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that was suspended by the Union sports ministry said he does not accept the ad hoc committee that was formed to manage the affairs of the wrestling body and added that he will take up the matter with the Central government, news agency ANI reported.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday formed a three-member ad hoc panel to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI after the sports ministry suspended the wrestling national body.

Speaking to the news agency, Singh said he will discuss the matter with the government and if it is still not resolved, he will explore legal options.

“I don’t accept this ad-hoc committee because WFI is an autonomous body. They can’t make such a decision without my permission. I will speak to government over this and if the issue is still not resolved, I will take legal opinion and move court. I won the election democratically, I was not nominated,” Singh told ANI.

Wushu Association of India chief Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the chairman of the ad hoc panel with hockey Olympian MM Somaya and former international shuttler Manjusha Kanwar being the two other members.

"The IOA has become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA- appointed Ad hoc Committee," IOA president PT Usha said in a release.

"Since the IOA considers adherence to governance norms as vital for ensuring fair play, transparency and accountability and to safeguard the interests of sportspersons as espoused by IOC and to ensure continuity, it has been decided to appoint an Ad hoc committee,” the IOA release added.