Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday defended the decision to revoke the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) suspension, emphasizing that failing to do so would have unfairly deprived Indian wrestlers of their chance to compete in upcoming international tournaments. The Ministry’s decision paves the way for selection trials for events like the Asian Championship in Amman, bringing an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty.
“As per the High Court order, recognizing WFI was necessary to ensure our wrestlers could participate in the Asian and World Championships. Otherwise, it would have been an injustice to their future,” Mandaviya stated.
The Ministry had originally suspended WFI’s Executive Committee on December 24, 2023, citing governance issues following its election on December 21. The decision was reconsidered after a Spot Verification Committee confirmed that WFI had relocated its office to West Vinod Nagar, Delhi, addressing concerns that it was still operating from the residence of former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
In reviewing the suspension, the Ministry assessed WFI’s compliance with governance reforms, the Delhi High Court’s concerns over administrative gaps, and the necessity of maintaining India’s international wrestling presence. Several conditions were outlined for the revocation, including governance reforms, transparent selection processes, and ensuring athlete welfare.
“WFI must reverse all amendments made during its suspension and ensure checks and balances in decision-making within four weeks,” the Ministry’s statement read. Additionally, “any non-elected person, suspended or terminated officials must be completely dissociated from WFI. The Executive Committee must submit an undertaking within four weeks.”
The Ministry emphasized that WFI must follow the Sports Code and United World Wrestling (UWW) guidelines to ensure fairness in athlete selection.
WFI’s suspension was initially imposed after the Sanjay Singh-led body announced Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda, raising concerns due to sexual harassment allegations against Singh. Following the suspension, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed an Ad-hoc Committee on December 27, 2023, to oversee WFI’s daily operations.
Meanwhile, UWW lifted its own suspension on WFI on February 13, 2024, mandating fresh elections for the Athletes’ Commission by July 1, 2024, and ensuring a fair selection process for all wrestlers, including those who had protested against the former leadership. Consequently, the IOA dissolved its Ad-hoc Committee on March 18, 2024.
However, UWW cautioned on April 25, 2024, that any external interference in WFI’s autonomy could lead to another suspension, threatening Indian wrestlers’ participation in global events.
The Delhi High Court later reinstated the Ad-hoc Committee on August 16, 2024, while keeping open the possibility of revisiting WFI’s suspension. On October 23, 2024, WFI formally requested the Ministry to lift its suspension, prompting the Ministry to seek a compliance report, which was submitted on January 8, 2025.
WFI detailed its adherence to multiple reforms, including forming an Athletes’ Commission with voting rights, establishing an Ethics Commission, relocating its office, and creating an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to ensure athlete safety.
