NEW DELHI: An ad hoc committee, formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has taken charge of the crisis-ridden Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
The Sports Ministry had instructed the IOA to form the ad hoc committee to oversee the affairs of the WFI and conduct elections within 45 days of the panel’s formation.
The committee was formed last month. “It was just taking charge and stock taking of the WFI today. No decision was taken,” committee member Bhupinder Singh Bajwa told PTI. Former India rifle shooter Suma Shirur is also on the panel. PTI
The three-member committee will function from the IOA’s headquarters in New Delhi.
“The ad-hoc committee of the IOA has taken over rendering the WFI defunct. A few WFI staff will help the panel with its work and primarily they will apprise them of the technical aspects of the game and how the federation functions,” a source in the know of things told New Indian Express.
It is learnt that the committee has enquired about the upcoming events and the need to resume the national camps.
“One Ranking Series is scheduled in the near future apart from under-17 and 23 Asian and World Championships. The committee also asked about the national camps. It is expected to finalise the commencement date soon,” added the source to NIE.
Anurag Thakur appeals for end to protest
Meanwhile, making an appeal to the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Union Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Anurag Singh Thakur called on them to end their protest as “their demands have been accepted”.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday on the sidelines of the launch of the logo and mascot of 3rd Khelo India Unversity Games, Thakur said, “I request the wrestlers sitting at Jantar Mantar should end their agitation. The government is fulfilling all their demands. The Supreme Court has also given its order in this matter. Now, the wrestlers should fully cooperate with a fair investigation and let the Delhi Police do their work.”
He assured the agitating wrestlers that the government will try its best to ensure that the wrestlers get justice and this will be done within the purview of the law.
