NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has debarred all outgoing Wrestling Federation of India officials from undertaking any administrative WFI function with immediate effect.
The IOA, through its letter on May 12, directed the WFI secretary general to hand over the official documents including financial instruments to its ad-hoc committee, making it clear the outgoing office bearers shall have no role in the running of the federation.
The protesting wrestlers on Sunday termed the IOA’s decision as the “first step” in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI chief and BJP strongman.
The country’s top wrestlers, led by Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar for the last 22 days demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, accused by multiple women wrestlers of sexual harassment.
“This (the dissolution of the current WFI) is the first step in our fight for justice. Our fight has begun in right earnest, it’s a victory for us… and we will continue or fight until we get justice,” PTI quotes Tokyo Olympics Bronze medallist Bajrang, as having said.
Asian Games Gold medallist Vinesh Phogat rued that not a single ruling party’s parliamentarian had met the wrestlers “to extend support in our fight for the dignity of women”.
She said that from Monday onwards the wrestlers will give letters by hand or via e-mail to all women parliamentarians of the ruling party to come and support them.
“When they talk about the safety of women in the country, then we too are their daughters and they should come out and support us,” she said.
The IOA’s three-member ad-hoc committee has made it clear that the process to elect new WFI office bearers will be completed within the 45-day time frame.
The letter issued by the IOA reads. “Taking note of the Ministry’s letter dated 24.04.2023 informing Indian Olympic Association (IOA) of the administrative void in Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and requesting the IOA to form a transitory committee or Ad hoc Committee to conduct elections of Executive Council of WFI and manage affairs of WFI, IOA Executive Council at its Emergency meeting held on 27th April, 2023 has unanimously resolved that an Ad Hoc Committee should be constituted to take charge of the affairs of the WFI,” said the letter.
“IOA has appointed Ad hoc Committee vide Order 03.05.2023 consisting of Bhupender Singh Bajwa, IOA Executive Council Member and Suma Shirur, Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit of IOA. A retired Judge of the Hon’ble Supreme Court or any High Court in India will also be involved with the Ad Hoc Committee to ensure fresh elections of WFI are conducted in a smooth, transparent and legally sound manner. Ad hoc Committee has already started functioning.”
“In pursuance of the above, it is hereby clarified that the Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the IOA for the discipline of Wrestling shall carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the National Sports Federation as enunciated in the Sports Code.”
“With the Ad hoc Committee being in existence, the outgoing office bearers of the WFI shall have no role with respect to the exercise of any function of the NSF for the discipline of Wrestling and shall not perform any administrative, financial, regulatory or any other role. Therefore, the outgoing office bearers of the WFI are directed to hand over all official documents, including website management, financial instruments, login details for making entries for the participation of Indian sportspersons in international events, etc., to the Ad hoc Committee, forthwith,” concluded the letter.
Earlier on April 24, The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will be forming an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days of its formation, to manage day-to-day affairs of the body, including the selection of athletes and making entries for the participation of players in international events.
This committee will be functioning for an interim period till a new Executive Committee takes charge.
Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court.
Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI chief, following which the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches. WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar is also named as an accused in the FIR.
