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The Sanjay Singh-led WFI added that the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel’s “interference” could jeopardise the participation of Indian wrestlers in the upcoming World Championships. read more
 "WFI to challenge Delhi HC’s decision to restore IOA's ad-hoc panel, fears 'interference' could hurt wrestlers' interests")
Representational image. Reuters
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) slammed the Delhi High Court’s decision to restore the mandate of the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee for managing its everyday affairs, confirming on Friday its decision to challenge the order.
The Sanjay Singh-led WFI added that the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel’s “interference” could jeopardise the participation of Indian wrestlers in the upcoming World Championships.
The latest order came on a plea seeking a stay on the functioning of the WFI and prevent it from undertaking any activity as a national federation for the sport.
Justice Sachin Datta while passing the interim order on the plea by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and her husband Satyawart Kadian, said it was open to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) re-constituting the committee which was earlier led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa.
The IOA had dissolved the ad-hoc panel on 4 April while UWW had lifted its suspension on 13 February this year after WFI conducted its elections.
“We are going to take it to double bench. The IOA had dissolved the ad-hoc panel . We will also approach world governing body UWW and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They had warned that outside interference may impact our athletes,” WFI President Sanjay Singh told PTI.
“Two World Championships are approaching. Indian wrestlers’ participation could be blocked,” he feared.
The U-17 World championship is set to be held in Amman, Jordan from 19-25 August while the U-20 World Championship is scheduled in Pontevedra, Spain from 2-8 September.
UWW President in his 25 April letter to WFI President had made it clear that ad-hoc panel running the show was not acceptable to them.
“In case any decision or order should be made against your federation, and a third party be designated to run the daily affairs of our sport in India in violation of the UWW Statutes, UWW would have no other option than to re-impose a temporary suspension of your federation until further notice, and which, this time, could maybe include your athletes,“UWW president Lalovic wrote.
The Centre had suspended the WFI on 24 December, 2023, three days after it elected the new office bearers, for allegedly not following the provisions of its own constitution while taking decisions, and requested IOA to constitute an ad-hoc committee to manage its affairs.
On 4 March, the court had issued notice to the central government, WFI and the ad-hoc committee on the petition filed by the top grapplers.
With PTI inputs
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