Suspended WFI Body Shifts Office From Ex-President Brij Bhushan Sharan's Residence

Days after the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs's decision to suspend the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body led by Sanjay Singh, the WFI relocated its office from the former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's residence. The Ministry had taken action after the allegation of the new body being under the influence of former office-bearers were leveled, which went against the National Sports Code's guidelines.

"One of the allegations is that the federation is run from his residence. We took over the WFI only two days before, we are looking for a place. If the Sports Ministry tells us where to go, we will go there immediately. We are also looking for a new office, we are ready to shift immediately," Singh told the media.

This suspension dealt a major blow to the new office-bearers due to several allegations and procedural discrepancies.

The Sports Ministry found problems with how the new WFI group worked. They said the group rushed to declare plans for U-15 and U-20 national events without following the right steps or giving wrestlers enough time to prepare. The ministry said that these kinds of choices should be made by the Executive Committee with enough notice and the required number of people, as per the WFI rules and the National Sports.

Notably, the Sports Ministry has also formed a three-member committee of former athletes to take care of the smooth working of the Wrestling Federation of India. The committee comprises Bhupendra Singh Bajwa as Chairman, MM Somaya, and Manjusha Kanwar under the eye of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

This ad hoc committee will watch over different jobs and things the WFI does.