IOA To Supervise WFI's Operations: Union Sports Ministry

The Indian Olympic Association will review the operations of WFI: Union Sports Ministry

Sanjay Singh was recently appointed as the President of WFI

Source : Getty Images

Asian News International (ANI) has reported that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been asked the Union Sports Ministry to form an ad-hoc committee to review and take over the operations of the recently-suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The Ministry had suspended the newly-reformed WFI after Sanjay Singh emerged victorious in the recently held elections for the President of the federation.

Indian Olympic Association forms ad hoc committee to supervise WFI's operations, which include athlete selection, submitting entries for athletes to participate in international events, organizing sports activities, handling bank accounts, managing the website, and other related… pic.twitter.com/GUFnRDHFj2

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023

Sanjay Singh, reportedly a close aide to former President Brij Bhushan Singh, didn't receive a much of a fanfare as he was subject to adverse reactions from the wrestlers and all the opposing people who were fighting for the cause of change in operations and personnel of the WFI. The suspension of WFI came after Sanjay Singh, in his fresh tenure, declared the laying down of a foundation of a better future by announcing the U-15 and U-20 Nationals, which wasn't welcomed by the Sports Ministry as no such necessary procedures were followed and the participating wrestlers weren't notified or given time to prepare for the same. 

"Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI's former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI. This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organizations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to to make suitable arrangements for the interim for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopradised," said Tarun Pareek, Under Secretary, Government of India, in the signed letter addresing the IOA President PT Usha.