In response to the suspension of newly elected panel members of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has taken decisive action by forming an ad-hoc committee. The move comes at the behest of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), seeking to ensure the smooth functioning of the governing body during this critical period.
Heading the newly appointed committee is Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, accompanied by members MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar. The decision to establish this ad-hoc committee was prompted by concerns over the governance and integrity of WFI, particularly in light of the influence and control exerted by former officebearers.
Wrestling being an Olympic sport and WFI an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association, the need for immediate corrective measures became evident. The Sports Ministry, under the leadership of Anurag Thakur, conveyed these concerns in a letter to the IOA. The missive emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of good governance in sports organizations and highlighted the necessity of ensuring that athletes in the wrestling discipline do not face any adverse consequences.
The letter stated, “In view of the above, it is requested that an Ad-Hoc Committee may be constituted by the IOA to manage and control the affairs of WFI, as per the defined role of National Sports Federations (NSFs) in the National Sports Development Code of India-2011.” The committee’s responsibilities include athlete selection, participation in international events, organizing sporting activities, and more.
This proactive step by the IOA aims to mitigate any potential disruptions and uphold the principles of good governance within the WFI. The ad-hoc committee will operate with immediate effect until further orders, ensuring the continued well-being of sportspersons in the wrestling discipline and safeguarding the integrity of the sports body.
