WFI Chief Sanjay Singh Reacts to Suspension of Wrestling Body, Brij Bhushan Meets JP Nadda

The newly-elected chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sanjay Singh on Sunday said he was yet to receive any letter after the Sports Ministry suspended the WFI earlier today.

“I was on a flight. I have not received any letter yet. First, let me see the letter, only then I will comment. I heard that some activity has been stopped,” Singh told reporters.

Sanjay Singh is a close aide of the former WFI chief, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual assault. Singh was elected the new president of the wrestling body on December 21.

Following the suspension of WFI, Brij Bhushan Singh met with BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday. According to sources, WFI is likely to move the High Court against the decision.

Earlier in the day, the Sports Ministry suspended the new WFI body citing it had shown complete disregard for the existing rules and regulations.

ALSO READ: From Wrestlers’ Protest On Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Brij Bhushan to WFI Body Suspension | A Timeline

In an official release, the ministry stated that the announcement for junior national competitions was hasty and that at least a 15-day notice was needed before the announcement so that the wrestlers could prepare.

Singh, on December 21, had announced that the junior national competitions would begin before the end of this year.

“Such decisions (holding nationals) are to be taken by Executive Committee, before which agendas are required to be placed for consideration. As per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading ‘Notices and Quorum for Meetings’, minimum notice period for EC meeting is 15 clear days and quorum is of 1/3rd of representatives. Even for Emergency EC meeting, minimum notice period is 7 clear days with quorum requirement of 1/3rd of representatives,” the ministry said in a press release.

Singh, on the other hand, claimed that the announcement for “Under 15 & Under 20 Wrestling Nationals” was made because only eight days are left before the end of the year 2023 and if the competitions do not happen this calendar year, then many wrestlers would be over age, sources told CNN-News18.

Sources also claimed that Singh’s camp has a rebuttal ready for the reasons mentioned by the sports ministry for suspension.

The ministry also alleged that the new body appeared to be in control of the previous office bearers, against whom allegations of sexual harassment had been made.

“Newly elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code,” a press release by the ministry said.