Sports Ministry Suspends Sanjay Singh-Led Newly-Formed WFI Body, Says ‘Complete Disregard To Sports Code’

New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has suspended the newly-former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body led by Sanjay Singh on Sunday. It means no wrestling events will be taking place until further notice. In an official press release, the Ministry stated some of the decisions that were taken by the WFI did not go with the existing rules and regulations and were ‘hasty’. It also stated that the newly-elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers in ‘complete disregard to the Sports Code’.

Sanjay, who is believed to close aide to former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, was elected as the new WFI chief on December 21. Soon after his appointment, Sanjay announced that the U-15 and U-20 nationals for wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

To this, secretary Prem Chand Lochab demanded postponement of the junior Nationals, saying the president did not follow rules while announcing the dates for the competition. The Ministry maintained that atleast a 15-day prior notice should be given to the wrestlers for preparation.

“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI,” read a part from the release by the Sports Ministry.

“As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee.

“Such decisions are to be taken by Executive Committee, before which agendas are required to be placed for consideration. As per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading ‘Notices and Quorum for Meetings’, minimum notice period for EC meeting is 15 clear days and quorum is of 1/3rd of representatives. Even for Emergency EC meeting, minimum notice period is 7 clear days with quorum requirement of 1/3rd of representatives.

“Further, in terms of the Article X (d) of Constitution of WFI, it is Secretary General of WFI, who has been made responsible for carrying out the general business of the Federation, keeping the minutes of the meetings, maintaining all the records of the Federation, calling the meetings of the General Council and the Executive Committee. It seems Secretary General has not been involved in the said meeting of EC, which was held without any notice or quorum,” it added.

The Ministry also stated that all the matters of WFI are being run from the premises controlled by the former office bearers. “The business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers. Which is also alleged premises wherein sexual harassment of the players have been alleged and present the court is hearing the matter.

The decisions made by the newly elected executive body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) demonstrate a blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms, violating both the WFI’s constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code.

The actions smack of complete arbitrariness on part of the President, which is against the settled principles of good governance and devoid of transparency and due process. Adherence to governance norms is vital for ensuring fair play, transparency and accountability. There are crucial to built trust among athletes, stakeholders, and the public,” it said.

Earlier, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia protested the election of Sanjay Singh, by returning the Padma Shri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Bajrang went to meet PM Modi in the Parliament but was stopped by the Police. However, he kept the Padma Shri on the pavement adjacent to the Parliament with a letter addressed to the PM.

Not just Bajrang, even 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, Sakshi Malik, quit the sport in protest against the newly-elected WFI chief.