WFI chief Sanjay Singh writes a letter to United World Wrestling (UWW) president Nenad Lalovic and told the Union Sports Ministry continued to interfere in the autonomy of the WFI
Citing to Government interference, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday withdrew Indian wrestlers from the upcoming World Championships in Tirana, Albania.
In a letter to president of United World Wrestling (UWW) Nenad Lalovic, WFI chief Sanjay Singh told that the Union Sports Ministry continued to interfere in the autonomy of the WFI and its act of decertify the WFI on 24th December last had been posing problems in the national federation’s smooth functioning.
Sanjay Singh said wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Satyawart Kadian, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, the most prominent faces of the wrestler’s protest, ” want an administrator to run the WFI in place of an elected body ” and the Delhi High Court, based on the sports ministry’s de-recognition, directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to execute the WFI.
“Though the IOA…supported the WFI, it is the Sports Ministry that is (sic) the problem creator because of their December 24 letter which is being used as a tool to get involved in the administration of the WFI by the wrestlers.”
Sanjay Singh highlighted that an October 4 court order restricted the WFI from holding selection trials for the Worlds, in non-Olympic weights, from 28th October to 31th October.
Nevertheless, if the situation became favourable, the WFI conducted a talent search and was willing to send meritorious athletes emerging from it to compete in Albania if the situation become favourable.
Sanjay told because of the sports Ministry order, which has been the base of the order passed by the high court, “We wish to withdraw any entries that were sent in advance for the World Championships” and pleaded the UWW to invoke Article 6.3 of its constitution, which tells UWW’s members “shall run their activities independently. They shall preserve their autonomy and oppose any political, religious or economic pressures.”
The WFI requested the UWW to forward its letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a formal complain, “as the autonomy of the National Federations is severely being compromised due to constant interference by the sports Ministry (sic) so that sports Ministry can not get any privileges and support of the IOA in any future events of the IOC.”
Sanjay supposed that the wrestlers mentioned above, some of whom have recently filed another contempt petition in the court, “are adamant on getting the WFI suspended no matter what the cost is to all others.”
Excitingly, the WFI was able to field wrestlers in the happening World under-23 Championships in Tirana without any issues.