Wrestling Federation of India Reinstated Amid Renewed Controversies

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has had its ban lifted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This follows elections and multiple protests regarding leadership controversies. Sanjay Singh, elected as the new president, faces opposition as previous allegations of misconduct come to light once more.

After a turbulent period marked by allegations and leadership controversies, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), reinstating it as a National Sports Federation. The ban was initially imposed due to a series of controversies involving the federation's leadership and its operational decisions.

The suspension followed the election of Sanjay Singh as WFI president, a move that incited protests, including those by prominent wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. These athletes accused former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual assault and demanded a reshuffle in leadership, which led to a temporary ban by United World Wrestling due to ineffective organizational elections.

Sanjay Singh's election did little to quash dissent, as athletes viewed him as aligned with the controversial ex-president. His announcement to host national competitions was met with further Ministry intervention. The Indian Olympic Association stepped in with an ad-hoc committee to manage WFI's activities until the suspension was eventually lifted, aiming to restore normalcy in Indian wrestling.

(With inputs from agencies.)