Indian Wrestling Federation Banned from Representing Country in World Wrestling Championship
The Indian Wrestling Federation has been banned from the World Wrestling Federation after the failure to hold timely elections. This unfortunate development means that Indian wrestlers will be unable to compete and represent their country in the upcoming World Wrestling Championship. As a result, Indian athletes will now have to participate as ‘neutral athletes’ in the Olympic World Qualifying Championships, commencing on September 16.
Ad Hoc Panel Fails to Conduct Elections within Stipulated Timeframe
An ad hoc panel, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, had a deadline of 45 days to conduct the selection process. The panel was appointed by the Indian Olympic Association on April 27 earlier this year. However, on April 28, the Painted Curtains Committee (PCC) issued a warning, stating that the Indian Federation would face suspension if the elections were not organized within the specified timeframe.
News agency PTI reported, “PCC informed the ad hoc panel on Wednesday evening that the WFI was suspended due to the executive committee’s failure to hold elections.”
Initially scheduled for May 7, the elections were canceled by the sports ministry, with plans to reschedule them subsequently. However, the election process encountered delays as various state units approached the court seeking participation rights in the polls.
Sexual Allegations against Wrestling Federation President Further Complicate Matters
A few months ago, WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to two cases being registered against him, including one under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. One case was filed by a minor girl, while the other came from an adult complainant. In protest, wrestlers staged a strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding appropriate action against Brij Bhushan Singh. The minor wrestler who filed the molestation complaint against Sharan Singh also provided a statement before the magistrate.
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The Indian Wrestling Federation was banned from the World Wrestling Federation due to the delay in holding the elections. Due to this, Indian wrestlers will not be able to represent the country in the upcoming World Wrestling Championship. In this case, Indian wrestlers will have to compete as ‘neutral athletes’ (not representing the country) in the Olympic World Qualifying Championships starting from September 16.
The ad hoc panel headed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa was given a deadline of 45 days to conduct the selection. The Indian Olympic Association appointed the ad-hoc panel earlier this year on April 27. PCC had also warned on April 28 that the Indian Federation would be suspended if the elections were not held within the stipulated time frame.
Also Read – Wrestlers’ sex allegations: Interim bail for Wrestling Federation president Brij Bhushan Singh
“PCC told the ad hoc panel on Wednesday evening that the WFI was suspended after the executive committee did not hold elections,” news agency PTI reported.
The WFI was supposed to hold the elections on May 7, but the sports ministry canceled the process. It was decided to hold elections later, but the election dragged on as different state units contacted the court to seek the right to participate in the polls.
A few months ago, the police had registered two cases, including a POCSO case, against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh following allegations of sex. The first case was filed on the complaint of a minor girl and the second on the complaint of an adult. Wrestlers staged a strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding action against Brij Bhushan. Brij Bhushan, a minor wrestler who filed a molestation complaint against Sharan Singh, gave a statement before the magistrate.
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