Just three days after the WFI conducted its elections, the ministry suspended the sports body on December 24, citing numerous rule violations.In response to the government’s request, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established a three-member panel, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the organization.
The other members of the committee include former hockey player MM Somaya and former shuttler Manjusha Kanwar.
The ad-hoc panel declared its intention to conduct the senior national championships in Jaipur from February 2-5.
Sanjay, however, maintained a confrontational stance, stating that they would not cooperate with the ad-hoc panel and would proceed with organizing the Nationals.
Rahul Gandhi interacts with wrestler Bajrang Punia at Virender Arya Akhara in Jhajjar
“We got elected democratically. The Returning Officer had signed the papers, how do they ignore that. We do not recognise this ad-hoc panel,” Sanjay told PTI.
Asked how will they organise they Nationals, he said, “We do not recognise this suspension. The WFI is working smoothly, we are on the job.”
“How will they (ad-hoc panel) organise Nationals if our state associations will not send the teams. We will organise our National Championship soon. We are soon calling the Executive Committee meeting. The notice of the EC meeting will be sent in a day or two and we will have the Nationals organised before they do it.”
If the WFI goes on to organise its own Nationals the crisis will take a turn for the worst.
Newly elected WFI body suspended: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says ‘nothing to do with wrestling’
“We had sent our explanation to the ministry that we have not flouted any rules. We are still awaiting a reply. We will wait for a day or two. If they do not want to engage with us, we are not also not interested then.
“Our federation does not recognise this suspension.”
Indian wrestling has witnessed an unprecedented power struggle in the last one year. In protest against Sanjay, who is a close aide of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, becoming WFI president Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri and Vinesh Phogat returned her Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna.
Sakshi Malik had quit wrestling the day Sanjay won the WFI president’s election.
(With PTI Inputs)