Sports Ministry Deals Major Setback to Brij Bhushan Singh with Suspension of Sanjay Singh-Led WFI

The Sports Ministry suspended the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body led by Sanjay Singh due to rushed announcements and disregard for proper procedures. Wrestlers protested, with Sakshi Malik retiring and Bajrang Punia returning his Padma Shri award, adding to the turmoil.

Image Source -www.latestly.com

In a significant setback to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Sports Ministry has taken decisive action, suspending the recently appointed body under Sanjay Singh's leadership. This move follows a sequence of events triggered by Singh's abrupt announcement of organizing U-15 and U-20 nationals in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP), without adequate notice to the wrestlers.

Citing violations of constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code, the Ministry highlighted the hasty nature of Singh's declarations, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to procedural norms. The Ministry emphasized that such decisions should be collectively deliberated upon by the Executive Committee, in line with the WFI's constitutional guidelines.

Moreover, the Ministry accused the newly elected body of being controlled by former office bearers, neglecting the Sports Code, and operating from premises linked to alleged cases of player harassment under legal scrutiny. This association raised concerns about the transparency and legality of the new WFI administration.

Also Read: Joint STF Operation Uncovers Illegal Firearms Unit In Gopalpur, Odisha

The Ministry's statement condemned the 'blatant disregard' exhibited by the new WFI executive body toward established norms and regulations. The decision to suspend all activities of the freshly elected WFI reflects the government's insistence on upholding legal protocols and maintaining fair play within sports organizations.

Sanjay Singh's ascendancy as WFI President on December 21 led to vehement protests from wrestlers, notably with Sakshi Malik's retirement announcement and Bajrang Punia's return of his Padma Shri award. Their actions underscored the discontent among athletes regarding the leadership crisis within the wrestling community.