The ministry also issued specific directives to ensure governance reforms within the WFI.
GOI lifts ban on wrestling Federation of India latest news: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and restored its recognition as a National Sports Federation (NSF).
In an official statement, the ministry stated, "The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports hereby revokes the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued vide order of even number dated 24.12.2023 and restores its recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for wrestling with immediate effect."
The ministry also issued specific directives to ensure governance reforms within the WFI.
The directives read, “The WFI must revert the amendments carried out during the suspension period and have a balance of power among the designated office bearers and provide checks and balances in the decision-making process, and this process should be completed in 4 weeks.”
“Any person who is not elected as an office bearer, as also the suspended/terminated salaried officials of the WFI must remain completely disassociated from the Federation and its affiliate units. The EC of WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks. Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including action under the Sports Code,” the second directive read.
It further added, “The WFI must ensure that selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair, and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard, along with regulations issued from time to time by the UWW.”
Background: Why Was WFI Suspended?
The Sports Ministry suspended WFI in December 2023 under then-president Sanjay Singh, citing governance failures and violations of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
In the statement, the ministry read, "Considering the unprecedented situation necessitating immediate action to uphold good governance in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Ministry, by its order dated 24.12.2023, instructed the newly elected Executive Committee of the WFI to abstain from administering and managing the day-to-day activities of the Federation with immediate effect until further orders."
It has cited the reasons for the suspension of the WFI. It read, “This decision was made in the wake of lapses regarding governance and procedural integrity by the newly elected body, which apparently was in control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 ("Sports Code"); cancellation of all decisions taken by the previously IOA-appointed Ad-hoc Committee; deviation from the established protocols of collective decision-making and transparent communication; and in consonance with the Sports Code, and in compliance with principles of the International Olympic Committee policy on safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sports, principles of good governance, and the principles of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act, 2013.”
With the suspension now lifted, the Sports Ministry, in its official statement, has directed WFI to implement all mandated reforms within the next four weeks to ensure proper governance and compliance with the Sports Code.
