'Wrestlers' Selection Is Priority': PT Usha Explains Delay In Indian Olympic Association Elections

P T Usha explained the delay in the WFI elections, citing the prioritisation of selection trials for junior grapplers by the national sports body. The WFI elections were consequently postponed.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P T Usha justified the postponement of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections on Tuesday, saying that selection trials for junior grapplers were a priority for the national sports governing body. The IOA announced on April 27 that a three-member ad hoc committee will run the federation's day-to-day operations and hold WFI elections within 45 days of its formation. It has not, however, appointed the third member, a retired high court judge, to begin the election process.

On May 4, a two-member ad hoc committee led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Suma Shirur assumed responsibility for Federation-related work. 

The ad hoc body is in charge of the Asian Championship selection trials for U-15 and U-20 wrestlers. The WFI election deadline of 45 days expires on June 17.

"We prioritised trials over WFI elections for the benefit of children. If we focus on elections, the trials will be jeopardised," Usha said on Tuesday during a visit to the SAI Centre, where the trials are being held, PTI reported. 

"We don't want to sacrifice our children's future, and we want them to have a fair chance to represent their country on the international stage." She did, however, say that the dates for the WFI election would be announced soon.

"The name of the third member of the ad-hoc committee and election dates will be announced soon, and we will try to do it within the given deadline of 45 days," she added, without explaining how the deadline will be met.

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The sports governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), had issued a veiled threat that India would be suspended if the 45-day deadline was not met.

The UWW issued a statement expressing "great concern over the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting over allegations of abuse and harassment by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)".

Expressing its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations so far, the international governing body for the sport demanded WFI elections in the next 45 days. "Failing to do so may lead UWW to suspend the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete under a neutral flag," it said.

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"I am very happy that the open trials under the ad hoc committee have been successful; there are 2500 participants, and everyone has had the opportunity," Bajwa told PTI that the appointment of the third member of the ad hoc committee to initiate the WFI election process was not in his hands and would be handled solely by the IOA.

"The WFI is run by the two members, who also hold selection trials to select teams for international events. It is not our responsibility to appoint a retired high court judge as the third member for the WFI elections. Only IOA is capable of doing so," he said. 

According to PTI, citing IOA sources, the apex sports body is waiting for the wrestling controversy to be resolved before proceeding with the election process.