Indian Olympic Association Forms Ad Hoc Wrestling Committee

Following the suspension of the newly elected administration of the Wrestling Federation of India by the Centre, the Indian Olympic Association has established a temporary committee to manage the federation's affairs. Bhupinder Singh Bajwa leads the committee, with MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar serving as members.

The IOA said, following the orders of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, a new ad hoc committee to ensure fair play, accountability, and transparency has been established.

"The Indian Olympic Association has recently become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of the WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by the IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA appointed ad hoc committee," read the letter from IOC chief PT Usha.

On December 24, while suspending the newly-elected WFI body, the Sports Ministry issued a strongly worded statement stating that the recently elected board, led by Sanjay Singh as president, remained under the influence of former office-bearers. These former officials had faced suspension due to allegations of sexual harassment.

Demanding justice from the authorities for female athletes and a probe against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran, wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat returned their national awards. Wrestler Sakshi Malik also bid adieu to the sport after Sanjay Singh, a close aide to Saran was elected as the new President of the federation.

However, the wrestlers expressed a little happiness after the Sports Ministry suspended Sanjay Singh and his board members. Bajrang Punia had said players welcome the Ministry's move and hope that justice would be served at the earliest.

These wrestlers have been protesting for months. From the roads of Jantar Mantar to the parliament, wrestlers' issue was debated everywhere, and now, when the ministry has formed an Ad Hoc committee, athletes might get a better environment and support to practice and prepare themselves to represent the country.