All posts tagged: WFI suspension

WFI bars Vinesh Phogat from comeback tournament, issues show-cause notice

WFI bars Vinesh Phogat from comeback tournament, issues show-cause notice

Published by Webster

Vinesh Phogat’s attempt to return to competitive wrestling has hit another major setback after the Wrestling Federation of India declared her ineligible to compete at the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. The May 10-12 event was expected to mark Vinesh’s first appearance since stepping away from the sport following the Paris Olympics 2024. However, the federation has now suspended her eligibility for domestic competitions until June 26, 2026. The decision came through a detailed show-cause notice issued by the WFI, which accused the former world championships medallist of violating disciplinary and anti-doping regulations. The federation stated that Vinesh did not fulfil the mandatory notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under United World Wrestling rules. Fresh controversy in ongoing WFI-Vinesh dispute The federation also referred to alleged whereabouts failures connected to anti-doping procedures, alongside concerns related to her disqualification at the Paris Olympics after failing to make weight. Additionally, the WFI questioned Vinesh’s participation in two different weight categories during the 2024 selection trials conducted under the IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee. The notice …

Indian wrestlers including Aman Sehrawat to miss Zagreb Open

Indian wrestlers including Aman Sehrawat to miss Zagreb Open

Published by Webster

Indian wrestlers, including Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, will not compete in the upcoming Zagreb Open ranking series due to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) failing to obtain necessary clearance from the sports ministry. Despite submitting entries in advance, the WFI did not receive the required approval, leading to the last-minute cancellation of the trip. The Zagreb Open, scheduled from February 5-9 in Croatia, is a crucial ranking series event that impacts seedings for the senior World Wrestling Championships later this year. Sehrawat, who was set to defend his men’s 57kg title, along with other Indian freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers, will now miss out on valuable ranking points. The clearance issue stems from the sports ministry’s refusal to recognize the newly elected WFI body, led by president Sanjay Singh, due to the federation’s ongoing suspension since December 2023. This marks the third major international event Indian wrestlers have had to forgo, following missed opportunities at tournaments in Belarus and Egypt late last year. There was no time left to process approvals, with the …

WFI to allow railways wrestlers to represent states in Nationals

WFI to allow railways wrestlers to represent states in Nationals

Published by Webster

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has taken a significant step in ensuring that Railways wrestlers can compete in the upcoming National Championship, which is set to begin on December 6, 2024, in Bengaluru. This comes after the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) decided not to send entries for the tournament, a move that has raised concerns among athletes who rely on the competition to advance in their careers. As part of a decision to support the wrestlers, the WFI has allowed them to participate by representing their respective states, despite RSPB not entering teams for the Nationals. The national body recognized the importance of this opportunity for the athletes, particularly since performance in these championships often leads to selection for international competitions. “There is no fault of these wrestlers, why should they suffer and lose a crucial year?” a WFI official told PTI. Although 81 wrestlers, including freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes, are affiliated with the Railways, no trials were held to select the team for the Nationals, leaving many wrestlers uncertain about their participation. …

WFI to allow railways wrestlers to represent states in Nationals

WFI Withdraws India from Wrestling World Championship Citing Government Interference

Published by Webster

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has withdrawn the Indian team from the upcoming World Wrestling Championship, citing interference from the Sports Ministry. The championship, set to take place in Tirana, Albania from October 28, features 12 non-Olympic categories. The WFI communicated its decision to the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body, highlighting concerns over its autonomy being undermined by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). The WFI has been at odds with the ministry since it was suspended by the government following internal elections in December 2023. The WFI’s suspension by the MYAS stems from a letter issued on December 24, 2023, which directed the federation to stop all day-to-day activities and allowed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to manage its affairs. WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed his frustration in a letter to UWW President Nenad Lalovic, saying, “Unfortunately, the MYAS continues to interfere in the autonomy of the WFI. The MYAS has ordered WFI to cease administration, and directed the IOA to create …

Bajrang, Vinesh accepting exemption from trials hit image of protest: Sakshi Malik | India News

Bajrang, Vinesh accepting exemption from trials hit image of protest: Sakshi Malik | India News

Published by Parlour News

Olympic bronze medal-winning former wrestler Sakshi Malik has said that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials last year hit the image of their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as it made their movement seem “selfish”. Sakshi, who was one of the three prominent faces of the prolonged protest, made this statement in her recently-released book ‘Witness’. She said their protest developed cracks when “people close to” Bajrang and Vinesh began to fill their minds with “greed”. The three had alleged that Sharan Singh, the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India, sexually harassed women wrestlers during his tenure. The case is still being heard in a Delhi court. The ad-hoc committee, that took over the administration of wrestling after WFI’s suspension, exempted Bajrang and Vinesh from the 2023 Asian Games trials but Sakshi decided not to seek the favour as suggested by her colleagues. Eventually, Sakshi did not compete while Vinesh suffered an injury before the Games and Bajrang failed to win a medal in …

BJP MP’s ‘Bhumihar-Rajput’ Reply To Question On New Wrestling Boss

Published by Webster

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s aide Sanjay Singh won the WFI elections held last week New Delhi: At the centre of the huge row surrounding the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh today said he will never contest the wrestling body’s polls again and distanced himself from new WFI president Sanjay Singh. The six-time BJP MP, who led the wrestling body for 12 years, had to step aside earlier this year after the country’s top wrestlers took to the streets, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers. In the recently-held WFI polls, his aide Sanjay Singh was elected to the top post. Sanjay Singh has said he is close to the BJP MP, but denied that he was a dummy candidate. Responding to a mediaperson’s question on whether Sanjay Singh was close to him, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “Sanjay Singh is a Bhumihar. I am Rajput, Kshatriya. There can be a relationship, friendship. He has been associated with wrestling for 15 years. Is there anyone in the wrestling circle who …