Newly-Elected Wrestling Federation Body Suspended By Sports Ministry

The Sports Ministry has suspended the new Wrestling Federation of India administration, under the leadership of Sanjay Singh.

Due to transparency concerns and other related issues, the Sports Ministry has taken the decision to suspend the new Wrestling Federation of India administration.

The suspension comes shortly after Sanjay Singh, the newly elected President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), announced plans to hold the U-15 and U-20 Nationals in Gonda.

Sanjay Singh, previously the Vice President of the UP Wrestling Association, clinched victory with 40 votes during the WFI elections, dominating his opponent Anita Sheoran who managed only seven votes.

However, this outcome disappointed prominent wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik. Their efforts to rally against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of misconduct, lost momentum despite strong advocacy for a change in leadership. Their protest, marked by plans for a march to the new Parliament building, dissolved when Delhi police removed protesters from Jantar Mantar for rioting on May 28.

Assurances were made by Anurag Thakur, the Union sports minister, stating that Brij Bhushan's family members or close associates would not be permitted to contest WFI elections. However, Sanjay Singh's victory suggests otherwise, sparking skepticism among wrestlers like Bajrang Punia.

Expressing concern, Punia highlighted, "The Union sports minister had explicitly mentioned that no one associated with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh would be allowed to contest the election. Yet, the victor in the WFI elections is an aide of Brij Bhushan. I suspect they will protect him from legal repercussions, but I trust our judiciary to ensure justice is served."