Results for: WFI

In a dramatic turn of events, the Indian wrestling team’s participation in the World Championships has been cleared after 12 selected athletes staged a protest outside the residence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, demanding their participation. This comes a day after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) withdrew the nation’s entries due to a legal challenge by wrestler Satyawart Kadian. The protest highlights the ongoing turmoil within the WFI and raises questions about the selection process and the federation’s handling of the situation.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has withdrawn Indian wrestlers from the upcoming World Championships in Tirana, Albania, citing government interference in its operations. The decision comes after a long-standing dispute between the WFI and the Sports Ministry, which has resulted in the de-recognition of the federation and the formation of an ad-hoc committee to run its affairs. The WFI alleges that the Ministry’s actions are compromising the federation’s autonomy and hindering its ability to function effectively.

WFI President Sanjay Singh expresses confidence in securing 4-5 medals in women’s wrestling at the 2028 Olympics, but calls for an end to interference in the federation’s operations. Singh also urges Vinesh Phogat to reconsider her retirement and emphasizes the need to keep politics out of wrestling.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) plans to appeal a Delhi High Court decision that reinstated the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee to manage WFI affairs. WFI president Sanjay Singh expressed concerns that this interference could jeopardize Indian wrestlers’ participation in upcoming World Championships, citing warnings from the United World Wrestling (UWW) about potential consequences. The decision follows a plea by prominent wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian seeking a stay on WFI’s functioning. The IOA had initially dissolved the ad-hoc panel in April after WFI conducted its elections, but the court’s ruling has reignited the controversy.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will challenge the Delhi High Court’s order restoring the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee to manage the federation’s affairs. The WFI fears that the ‘interference’ could jeopardize Indian wrestlers’ participation in upcoming World Championships.

The Delhi High Court has restored the mandate of the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee to manage the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), following a plea by prominent wrestlers who alleged sexual harassment by the federation’s former president. The decision comes after the Central Government suspended the WFI in December 2023 due to non-compliance with its own constitutional provisions.

WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed disappointment over potential missed medals in wrestling at the Paris Olympics, attributing it to disruptions within the sport. He is hopeful that the CAS will rule in India’s favor in Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal, emphasizing its importance for the country’s medal tally. The CAS has extended the verdict to August 16th.

Vinesh Phogat, a prominent Indian wrestler, was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics due to exceeding the weight limit. The President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sanjay Singh, blamed the support staff, including coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists, for the incident and demanded a probe into the matter.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced that no selection trials will be held for the Paris Olympics 2024. The six wrestlers- Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Aman Sehrawat (57kg) – who had won quotas for the country will compete in Paris. The decision came as a shock to several wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who were preparing for the trials.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decision to field Karan Bhushan Singh, son of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj constituency has sparked outrage amongst wrestlers who protested against Brij Bhushan last year over alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers. Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik expressed disappointment, stating that India’s daughters have lost and that their fight for justice has been in vain. Sakshee Malikkh, who quit wrestling after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan, won the WFI elections, accused the BJP-led central government of using Lord Ram’s name for votes. Bajrang Punia, a key protestor and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, called the decision a stab in the back and questioned the government’s motives. The Delhi Police registered a case against Brij Bhushan in June 2023 under sections 354, 354D, and 345A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for stalking and sexual harassment. The case is being heard in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 7.