Days after the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was suspended by the Union sports ministry, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed an ad hoc panel to supervise WFI's day-to-day affairs.
The body was suspended after newly-elected WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh announced on December 21 that U-15 and U-20 nationals will be held in Uttar Pradesh before the end of the year. Reports said it did not give the wrestlers sufficient notice. Sports ministry's official release said the WFI showed "complete disregard for the existing rules and regulations".
Wushu Association of India president Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the chairman of the panel with hockey Olympian M.M. Somaya and former international shuttler Manjusha Kanwar being the other two members.
"The IOA has recently become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA- appointed Ad hoc Committee," IOA president PT Usha said in the release.
"This not only highlights a governance gap within the federation but also signifies a noticeable departure from established norms.
"Since the IOA considers adherence to governance norms as vital for ensuring fair play, transparency and accountability and to safeguard the interests of sportspersons as espoused by IOC and to ensure continuity, it has been decided to appoint an Ad hoc committee...."
The ad hoc committee was tasked to oversee athlete selection, submitting entries for athletes to participate in international events, organising sports activities, handling bank accounts, managing the website, and other related responsibilities.
The government is as much guilty as the WFI when it comes to rule violations. The Sports Ministry appeared to have acted in haste while announcing the suspension of the newly elected WFI even though there are grounds for the same. But the body received no show-cause notice was served.
Sanjay's election as WFI chief also led to Rio Olympics medallist Sakshee Malikkh announcing her retirement from wrestling, while Tokyo Games bronze winner Bajrang Punia also returned his Padma Shri to the government.
World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat also followed suit as she returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award.
The trio had led a five-month-long protest of wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexually exploiting several women grapplers.
