Big blow to WFI: World Wrestling body suspends federation for election failure
New Delhi, August 24: The United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for wrestling, has taken the decision to suspend the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) due to its failure to conduct timely elections. This suspension has significant repercussions, preventing Indian wrestlers from competing at the upcoming World Championships under the Indian flag.
As a consequence, Indian wrestlers are compelled to participate as 'neutral athletes' in the Olympic-qualifying World Championships set to begin on September 16. This predicament arises as the ad-hoc panel, under the leadership of Bhupender Singh Bajwa, did not adhere to the 45-day deadline specified for conducting the elections.
Appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on April 27, the ad-hoc panel was entrusted with the responsibility of holding elections within 45 days from its inception.
A forewarning came from UWW on April 28, indicating the potential suspension of the Indian federation if the election deadline was overlooked.
A source within the IOA revealed, "The UWW communicated to the ad-hoc panel on Wednesday night that WFI has been suspended for not holding elections to its executive committee," according to reports.
Initially scheduled for May 7, the WFI's election process was declared null and void by the Sports Ministry.
The election proceedings have encountered multiple delays, with disaffiliated state bodies expressing dissatisfaction and resorting to legal action in their pursuit of participation rights in the polls.
- With inputs from agencies
