In a recent development, Wrestling Federation of India Suspended (WFI) has been provisionally suspended by the international governing body for wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW). This suspension comes as a result of the failure of the WFI to conduct timely elections.
As a consequence, Indian wrestlers will not be able to compete under the national flag at the forthcoming World Wrestling Championships 2023, set to take place in Belgrade, Serbia, from September 16 to 24.
The World Wrestling Championships 2023 holds a significant place as the initial wrestling qualifiers for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Due to the suspension, Indian wrestlers are required to participate in the event as ‘neutral athletes’ unless the suspension is lifted before the championships begin.
The turmoil in Indian wrestling began earlier this year, as allegations emerged against the former head of WFI and some wrestlers. Notably, athletes such as Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia protested, seeking the removal of the chief from his position.
In April, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) created a temporary committee to oversee the day-to-day operations of Indian wrestling. This was done with the intention of conducting fresh elections for the federation within 45 days. Despite this step, the elections faced legal hurdles due to challenges from various state bodies aiming to participate in the polls.
The UWW, in June, called upon the IOA ad-hoc committee to adhere to the deadline.
Failing to meet this deadline could lead to the suspension of the federation, resulting in Indian athletes competing without the national flag. Unfortunately, the extended legal challenges ultimately caused the elections to be delayed repeatedly.
With the 45-day deadline having lapsed, the UWW Disciplinary Chamber invoked the provisional suspension against WFI. This decision was reached as the internal situation within the federation had remained unresolved for a duration of at least six months. The Chamber also pointed out that the absence of an elected president and board goes against UWW regulations and membership conditions.
Remarkably, the suspension was imposed just a day before the Indian wrestling trials for the World Championships were scheduled in Patiala. Despite this, the IOA ad-hoc committee confirmed that the trials would proceed as planned.
In light of the suspension, Indian wrestlers and their support staff are still authorized to participate in all UWW-sanctioned events. However, their representation will be under the UWW flag rather than the Indian national flag. It’s important to note that all other members of the federation will not be permitted to attend any UWW event until further notice.
Notably, Indian wrestlers will retain the opportunity to compete under their national flag at the Asian Games 2023, scheduled in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, in September-October. The entries for the continental meet were submitted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and not through the WFI.
In conclusion,
the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India has far-reaching consequences for Indian wrestlers, who will now compete as neutral athletes in the World Wrestling Championships 2023. This development underscores the importance of resolving internal issues promptly to ensure the athletes’ participation on the global stage under their National Flag.
As the path forward unfolds, it remains essential for all stakeholders to work together to address challenges and enable Indian wrestlers to shine on the international platform once again.
