In a dramatic turn of events, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has pulled its wrestlers out of the upcoming World Championships in Tirana, Albania, citing persistent interference from the Indian government. The WFI, in a letter addressed to United World Wrestling (UWW) president Nenad Lalovic, has accused the Union Sports Ministry of encroaching upon its autonomy, ultimately hindering its ability to function smoothly. This move comes after a series of disputes between the WFI and the Ministry, which culminated in the de-recognition of the federation on December 24th, 2023.
The WFI argues that the Ministry’s intervention has created a tumultuous environment, particularly due to the ongoing wrestlers’ protest. The protest, spearheaded by prominent wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, demands an administrator to take charge of the WFI instead of an elected body. Following the Ministry’s de-recognition, the Delhi High Court, based on the Sports Ministry’s actions, instructed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to establish an ad-hoc committee to oversee the WFI’s operations.
The WFI maintains that, despite the IOA’s support, the Ministry’s actions are the root of the conflict. The federation argues that the Ministry’s December 24th letter has been weaponized to undermine the WFI’s administrative authority, creating a rift between the federation and the wrestlers.
Adding further complications, a court order issued on October 4th restricted the WFI from holding selection trials for non-Olympic weight categories at the World Championships, scheduled from October 28th to 31st. Despite this setback, the WFI conducted a talent search to identify deserving athletes and was prepared to send them to Albania if the situation improved.
However, the WFI asserts that the Sports Ministry’s decree, which serves as the foundation for the high court’s order, has forced their hand. In light of this, the WFI has decided to withdraw all entries submitted for the World Championships. The federation has requested the UWW to invoke Article 6.3 of its constitution, which mandates the independence of UWW member organizations, prohibiting them from succumbing to political, religious, or economic pressures.
The WFI has also requested the UWW to forward this complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to highlight the persistent interference by the Sports Ministry and its detrimental effect on the federation’s autonomy. The WFI claims this interference is hindering its ability to operate effectively, particularly concerning future IOC events.
Furthermore, Sanjay Singh, the WFI chief, alleges that the protesting wrestlers, who recently filed a contempt petition against the federation, are determined to see the WFI suspended, regardless of the consequences.
It’s worth noting that the WFI was able to field wrestlers in the ongoing World Under-23 Championships in Tirana without any issues. This contrast further emphasizes the specific challenges faced by the WFI in relation to the World Championships and the Ministry’s interference.
This situation underscores the complex interplay between politics, sports, and national federations. As the dispute unfolds, it remains to be seen how the UWW and the IOC will respond to the WFI’s allegations and the broader implications for Indian athletes participating in international competitions.