WFI management back in filthy Akhada of politics

The Year 2023 has seen an endless  fighting for control over its  management and political upmanship in Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). After the recently held elections to its national executive, the winner team led by Sanjay Singh, having  captured 13 out of  15 seats. Singh is  a known Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Federation president’s  loyalist, Many players protested and declared to return their national Khel awards. Rumblings in the major sports stream of India, which regularly wins medals at all world championships and cheers Indian followers, is not a pleasant scene. 

There may be some on field issues or  problems with their managements, but by keeping in  endless fight hardly helps anybody or the Game of Wrestling which gives respect, global recognition and awards to young players.  Protesting senior players like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have been  raising their voice against 

BBS Singh, alleging sexual harassment to some women wrestlers during his tenure, seem to be under intense  pressure from some political leaders of a national opposition party, in a run up to 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. 

After  three month long protests at Jantar Mantar  and attempted seizure of Parliament House by their followers,       Govt. of India suspended the old executive, handed over the control to India Olympic Association and ordered fresh elections. A petition in Supreme Court against BBS Singh enquired into the allegations, yet found no tangible evidence against him, even the complainant  young wrestler withdrew her complaint, the senior protesting players should have  returned to their practicing Akharas, shunning any political pressure to continue their fight beyond a logical process. Such

political interference in sports administration by either of the political party should be pushed away firmly, so that India keeps

winning precious medals at Olympics, Commonwealth, Asian and other major competitions.  Such meddling in sports spoils the careers of young budding players and their talent.

There was No Logic in asking for Brij Bhushan’s sacking from Lok Saba by PM Modi earlier  and there is still no logic in offering to return Padam Shri,  Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards in protest, since new executive body has been elected under IOA supervision, (now removed by Sports Ministry); it’s  none else than the players lose their honor and place of pride in the eyes of crores of sports lovers.  The players must now return to their as and help nurture fresh  wrestlers for forthcoming competitions.

Though the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the wrestling’s national governing body,  along with all its office-bearers, its action also seems to be a futile effort to satisfy their political opponents, there seems to be no end to such rumblings. Reasons must be known to the players advisers.

Sanjay Singh, the newly elected President of WFI,  has also protested sacking of his National Executive by Sports Ministry, unfolding his future strategy,  “Will first hold talks with the government and then seek legal assistance,” Sanjay Singh, suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, said on the  elections were held democratically winning 40 votes out of 47 and he ‘doesn’t accept the ad  hoc committee’

Indian Olympic Association  has been asked to form an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of the sport’s premier governing body. Bhupinder Singh Bajwa has been declared as the ‘president’ of the newly created ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day matters of the WFI with immediate effect.  He will   be assisted in running the WFI by MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar in the new ad hoc committee.

Such unending political fights and legal battles take very long time and severely affect the chances of India getting any  medals at 2024 Olympics or other contests in the long time. Even the World Wrestling Organising Committee may also bar India being represented in Olympic Games 2024 under this ad hoc committee.