IOA To Hold Wrestling Federation of India Elections On July 4

Sports Ministry had declared the proposed WFI elections on May 7 as "null and void", following allegations of sexual harassment from aggrieved wrestlers on outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

Sonipat: Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik during a 'mahapanchayat' in Sonipat, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Source : PTI

The long overdue WFI elections will finally be held on July 4, PTI reported. The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) will conduct the elections at the Special General Meeting of the WFI. Former J&K HC Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar was appointed returning officer for Wrestling Federation of India elections. Earlier, the Sports Ministry had declared the proposed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections on May 7 as "null and void", following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation from aggrieved wrestlers on outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The Sports Ministry declared formation of a three-member ad-hoc committee following the IOA executive committee’s meeting on April 27. As per Ministry's orders, IOA was instructed to look after day-to-day affairs of WFI, conduct elections within 45 days of formation of the ad-hoc committee and select wrestlers for international tournaments in the interim period. 

"IOA has to take steps forward to conduct elections of the WFI Executive Committee and we are pleased to appoint you as a returning officer to conduct the elections of the WFI. You many consider appointing one assistant returning officer and other staff to assist in conducting the elections," the IOA wrote in its letter to justice Mittal Kumar.

"Elections are required to be conducted in the SGM of the WFI called on 4th July and the schedule of the election will be required to be drawn accordingly.

"We look forward to your confirmation of acceptance and also smooth conduct of elections of the WFI on July 4."

Sources, however, said Justice Mittal Kumar can decide the date of the SGM and the elections on his own and it will be up to him to hold the polls on July 4 or a few days later.