Wrestling Federation of India breathes easy as UWW lifts suspension

Vinayak Padmadeo

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New Delhi, February 13

The international wrestling federation (UWW) has lifted the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The decision comes after the UWW bureau met on February 9.

The UWW had put the Indian body under provisional suspension in August last year after the elections were delayed amidst the ongoing wrestlers’ protest and subsequent court cases.

“The United World Wrestling has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India with immediate effect. UWW had placed the WFI under provisional suspension on August 23 last year after the Indian body failed to hold an election in due course. The UWW Disciplinary Chamber decided that it had sufficient grounds to impose the provisional suspension on the body as the situation in the federation prevailed for at least six months,” the UWW said in its statement.

However, the UWW has said that the recognition was conditional as the WFI needs to hold elections of its Athletes’ Commission and a written guarantee that the wrestlers who took part in the protest will not be targeted.

“The WFI has to re-convene the elections of its Athletes’ Commission. The candidates for this commission shall be active athletes or retired for no longer than four years. The voters shall be exclusively athletes. These elections shall take place during trials or any senior national championships where this operation can take place, but no later than July 1, 2024,” the letter further said.

“The WFI has to immediately provide UWW with written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination in all WFI events, in particular trials for the Olympic Games and any other major national and international events. This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former President. UWW remains in touch with the wrestlers and will follow up with them in the coming days,” it added.

The development comes as a shot in the arm for the WFI, which had called the suspension a direct attack on its autonomy. The UWW’s decision also means that the country’s wrestlers will now be allowed to compete under the Indian flag.

The new WFI president, Sanjay Singh, welcomed the development and has assured that all conditions sought by the UWW will be met soon.

“First of all I want to say that we are there for all wrestlers. Those who protested will also be welcomed for the trials and other meets,” Singh told The Tribune.

“We will hold the Athletes’ Commission election soon. It may happen during the trials and we will fulfill all conditions laid out by the UWW,” he added.