The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has withdrawn the Indian team from the World Championship, citing interference from the sports ministry. The decision comes after the WFI had announced selection trials for the U23 and World Championship, which was challenged by protesting wrestlers who questioned the legality of the selection by the suspended federation.
The WFI withdrew the selection trials notice, and the court decided not to proceed with the contempt petition. However, the WFI has now conveyed to the world governing body, UWW, that the sports ministry is interfering with its autonomy.
“This is all happening because of the ministry’s suspension. There are no grounds to keep the suspension. If the ministry lifts the suspension, all these issues won’t crop up. It’s just pathetic that wrestlers have to suffer because of a few wrestlers and the ministry is not lifting the suspension,” a WFI source told PTI.
The WFI was suspended by the Sports Ministry on December 24 soon after the polls were conducted to elect the new office-bearers. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had disbanded the ad-hoc panel managing the Federation in March this year after UWW lifted the ban on WFI in February.
The WFI has now asked UWW to invoke article 6.3 of UWW Regulations and take appropriate action. Article 6.3 states that, “Affiliated and Associated Members shall govern and administer their activities independently. They shall preserve their autonomy without influence by any political, religious or economic pressures.”
The WFI has also put on record support from the PT Usha-led Indian Olympic Association (IOA). “Though the IOA through its President Ms. PT Usha had supported the WFI in the case, it is the MYAS that is the problem creator because of their letter of 24th December 2023 which is being used as a tool to interfere in the administration of the WFI by the wrestlers.”
The WFI has also asked UWW to use Thursday’s communication as a complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
