SUSPENDED WFI CHIEF
Bajrang handed provisional suspension, WFI to approach WADA after NADA keeps it in 'dark'
Bajrang Punia faces provisional suspension at Asian Olympic Qualifiers. Lawyer Vidush Singhania to reply about expired kits. Sanjay Singh surprised at NADA. WFI to contact WADA. Vinesh Phogat tested after trials.
WFI Timeline: From allegations, polls to suspension, lifting of ban, dissolving of ad-hoc panel
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has faced a tumultuous journey, from allegations of sexual exploitation and intimidation to the dissolution of its ad-hoc committee. This timeline captures key events, including protests by wrestlers, formation of oversight committees, suspension by the sports ministry, and the eventual lifting of the ban by the global governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW).
IOA dissolves ad-hoc committee for wrestling, WFI to take charge
The Indian Olympic Association dissolved the ad-hoc committee for wrestling, citing the lifting of the suspension on the national federation and the successful completion of selection trials. Despite ongoing suspension by the sports ministry, the Wrestling Federation of India gained full control. IOA instructed WFI to address concerns and repay loans.
WFI to withdraw circular on conducting trials for upcoming events, HC told
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has agreed to withdraw its circular on conducting selection trials for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 and Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Wrestling Tournament, following a directive from the Delhi High Court. The court has instructed the trials to proceed as per the circular issued by the ad-hoc committee supervising the WFI's affairs. This development comes after the Centre suspended the WFI for not following its own constitution while taking decisions, leading to the ad-hoc committee's formation.
Delhi HC to hear wrestlers' plea against WFI elections today
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband have filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections. They allege violations of the Sports Code and seek to cease WFI activities. The court will decide on the validity of the elections.
Bajrang, Vinesh, retired Sakshi invited by WFI to appear for national trials
The ministry had also ordered fresh elections, which were held in December last year, but the newly-elected body under Sanjay Singh was suspended by the ministry three days after its formation for not giving enough time to age-group wrestlers to prepare and travel before announcing the dates for the nationals.
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Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia accuse WFI of using devious means to get suspension lifted, threaten fresh protest
The UWW on Tuesday lifted the provisional suspension on India but directed the national federation to provide written guarantees that there would be no discriminatory action against the protesting trio of Punia, Malik and Vinesh Phogat.
Sports Ministry warns of legal action against suspended WFI president
The Sports Ministry warned suspended Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh of legal action for making baseless claims and reiterated that any tournament organized by the body shall be treated as unsanctioned. The ministry stated that the claims made by Singh regarding the recognition of the WFI and the competitions held in Pune are baseless. The ministry informed that any championships organized by the suspended WFI will be treated as unsanctioned. The ministry further advised Singh to desist from making unsubstantiated claims to avoid legal action.
IOA cannot exercise control over WFI; UWW should lift ban: WFI chief tells world body chief Lalovic
"We would also like to draw your attention to a judgment of the High Court of Delhi against the IOA which was passed on l6th August 2023, which stated that the IOA cannot exercise any control of authority over a National Sports Federation. Any influence by the IOA would be illegal, NSF's are independent entities." Sanjay, a close associate of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, also pointed out that when the Indian courts, the UWW rules and the Olympic charter all profess autonomy of NSF's how could the IOA breach those rules.
WFI to challenge its suspension next week, calls EC meeting on January 16
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to challenge its suspension by the Sports Ministry in court next week. The government suspended WFI on December 24, citing violations of the National Sports Code and the WFI constitution. The federation, elected just three days before the suspension, rejects it and does not recognize the ad-hoc panel appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Several grapplers seek UWW intervention in resolving wrestling crisis in India
World governing body for wrestling which suspended WFI a while back has received responses from several international medal-winning wrestlers from different states. Several other wrestlers alleged that now that there is nothing left in the careers of Punia, Malik and Phogat, they can afford to be involved in controversies but due to their actions, careers of others are getting impacted adversely.
Senior national wrestling camps to commence on February 9
National wrestling camps for men and women will begin in Sonepat and Patiala from February 9, following the conclusion of the senior National Championships in Jaipur. The ad-hoc committee, led by Wushu Association of India chief Bhupender Singh Bajwa, will select medallists in 30 weight divisions from the senior Nationals in Jaipur. The camps will extend until the 2024 Paris Olympics, focusing on training grapplers for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying tournaments.
'Hurts to see such cruelty on PM Modi' s part': Rahul Gandhi on Vinesh returning Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leaving wrestler Vinesh Phogat's Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award on the Kartavya Path. Phogat, along with Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, protested against the election of Sanjay Singh, a close aide of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who had been accused of sexual harassment by the three wrestlers.
Wrestling Federation of India office moved out of Brij Bhushan's residence
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to a bill aimed at appointing Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, establishes a search committee and a selection committee to make recommendations for appointment.
Govt. didn't follow "proper procedure" while suspending WFI, will challenge in court: Sanjay Singh
Newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh has stated that the sports ministry did not follow the proper procedure while suspending the wrestling national body. The WFI will challenge the government's decision in court, claiming that its autonomously elected body cannot be suspended without presenting the organization's side of the story.
Protesting wrestlers "past their prime, don't want juniors to progress", says suspended WFI President Sanjay Singh
The Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the sport's premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers. At the same time, following its decision, the Ministry instructed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
View: Still wrestling with our demons
India's top wrestler and Olympic medallist, Sakshi Malik, has retired after a year-long battle for justice against an alleged sexual predator, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Malik, along with other top Indian wrestlers, protested over the lack of action against Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment of female wrestlers.
WFI not suspended, activities stopped to spread confusion: Priyanka Gandhi
"The BJP is spreading false news about dissolving the wrestling federation. The federation has not been dissolved, its activities have been stopped so that the accused can be saved by spreading confusion. Do they have to stoop to this level to suppress the voice of aggrieved women?" the Congress general secretary asked in a post in Hindi on X.
Decision to suspend WFI not taken under any pressure: UP BJP chief Chaudhary
Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary defended the suspension of the newly-elected WFI, stating that the Union Sports Ministry's decision was not due to pressure and followed due process. The Sports Ministry suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after a sudden announcement of organizing U-15 and U-20 nationals without proper procedures and sufficient notice to wrestlers.
I have taken retirement from wrestling, says ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan after ministry suspends WFI
Brij Bhushan's comments came soon after his meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda following Sports Ministry's suspension of the WFI till further orders. The basis of suspension WFI's "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.
Sports Ministry requests IOA to constitute ad-hoc committee to manage WFI affairs
The Indian Sports Ministry has suspended the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) due to concerns about its governance and integrity. The ministry has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc body to manage the affairs of WFI. The WFI was suspended until further orders after the body announced the U-15 and U-20 nationals without proper procedures and sufficient notice to wrestlers.
From wrestlers' protest to WFI elections: Timeline
Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan loyalist has been elected as new WFI chief with his panel comfortably winning most of the posts. Earlier, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with other protesters, were booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty, while they attempted to march towards the new Parliament, which was being inaugurated by PM.
WFI elections set to be held on December 21, results to be declared on same day
The WFI elections were originally slated to be held on August 12. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is hearing a petition, in August extended the stay on WFI elections till September 25. The stay order came in the wake of a petition filed by the Haryana Wrestling Association (HWA) which challenged the move to allow the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association to cast votes in the WFI polls.
Ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh not exonerated by oversight panel in sexual harassment case: Police tell court
"Singh was not exonerated by the oversight committee. The committee had given the recommendations, not the decision... Nowhere has it stated that these allegations are not substantiated or are false," special public prosecutor Atul Srivastava told the court.
Sexual harassment case against ex-WFI chief: Allegations warrant framing of charges, claim women wrestlers
"The allegations in the FIR culminating in the charge sheet of which your honour has taken cognizance are of a nature that necessitates the framing of charges against the accused persons," Senior Advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the complainants, told the court.
United World Wrestling Federation suspends WFI for not holding elections on time
The United World Wrestling Federation (UWW) has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for not holding elections as scheduled, which means Indian wrestlers will not be able to compete in the upcoming World Championships under the Indian flag. Instead, they will have to compete as 'neutral athletes'. The WFI is yet to hold presidential elections after the removal of its former chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, due to sexual harassment charges.
Sexual harassment case against ex-WFI chief: Delhi court to hear matter on August 26
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal had on July 20 granted bail to Singh, along with suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.
Protesting wrestlers tight-lipped about future of suspended stir
The police, in its chargesheet recommended dropping of POCSO charge for lack of corroborative evidence. The minor wrestler, one of the seven complainants, had alleged Singh of sexual harassment but later withdrew her charges.
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