The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced on Monday that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) shall be forming an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) inside 45 days of its formation, to handle day-to-day affairs of the physique, together with the number of athletes and making entries for the participation of gamers in worldwide occasions. This committee shall be functioning for an interim interval until a brand new Executive Committee takes cost.

A letter from the Sports Ministry, the Under Secretary to the Centre, mentioned, “I am directed to say that the Ministry, vide order dated 23 January 2023, has appointed an Oversight Committee (OC) for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after allegations made by certain prominent athletes against the President, Officials and some coaches of the Federation for sexual harassment, as also regarding financial mismanagement and arbitrariness in the Functioning of the Federation.”

The letter identified that the oversight committee has submitted its report back to the Sports Ministry and is at present below examination. The preliminary scrutiny of the report has resulted within the following main findings:

-Absence of a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee below the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013, and lack of an ample mechanism for consciousness constructing amongst sportspersons, for grievance redressal, and so on.

-Need for extra transparency and session between the Federation and stakeholders, together with the sportspersons

-Need for efficient communication between the Federation and the sportspersons.

“It may also be noted that after the submission of the report, the OC has ceased to exist,” added the letter.

The ministry in its letter declared the WFI elections, scheduled to be held on May 7 as per media experiences and a discover by WFI on its web site as “null and void”, calling for brand spanking new elections below a impartial physique/returning officer.

“Meanwhile, based on the reports in media, and from the notice dated 16.04.2023 posted on the official website of the WFI. it is understood that the election to the EC has been scheduled on May 7, 2023. In this regard, considering the current situation, it is expedient that the said election process should be treated as null and void, and that fresh elections to the EC should be conducted under a neutral body/Returning Officer,” mentioned the letter.

“Since Wrestling is an Olympic Sport and WFI is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and taking note of the current situation of administrative void in WFI, it becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to make suitable interim arrangements for managing WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner.”

“In light of the aforementioned, it is requested that a transitory committee or Ad-Hoc Committee may be constituted by the IOA to conduct the election of the Executive Committee of the WA within 45 days of its formation and, to manage the affairs of WFI, including the selection of athletes and making of entries for the participation of sportspersons in international events, for the interim period till the newly elected Executive Committee takes charge,” concluded the letter.

Notably, Delhi Police on Monday sought a report from the investigation committee arrange by the Union Sports Ministry to analyze the allegations in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and has begun a probe into the recent criticism by wrestlers, a senior officer mentioned on Monday.

“A report has been sought from the probe committee and after that, the investigation can get a direction. Seven players had filed a complaint against the WFI chief. Many facts will come to the fore after getting the report of the committee,” mentioned the Delhi Police official.

After a protest led by some distinguished wrestlers of the nation this January, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had introduced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations levelled in opposition to the WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and different coaches.

The committee was tasked with submitting a report on the difficulty to the ministry.

Top wrestlers have now resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar right here within the nationwide capital after submitting a criticism on the Connaught Place police station on Friday (April 21) stating that seven feminine wrestlers, together with one minor, had been harassed and exploited by Brij Bhushan in his capability as WFI chief.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia mentioned that this time “all parties are welcome” to affix them they usually will not again down until motion is taken in opposition to the BJP MP.

“It’s been more than 48 hours since the complaint was made, but an FIR has not been filed yet,” Punia advised ANI.

The ace wrestler mentioned that this time they won’t flip down anybody, and whoever needs to help their protest might come and be a part of them.

“…This time, all parties are welcome to join our protest whether it is BJP, Congress, AAP or any other party…..we’re not affiliated with any party…,” he mentioned.

Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) has issued a discover to Delhi Police to register an FIR on the difficulty.

Top Indian wrestlers, together with Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik, held a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this 12 months, demanding that Brij Bhushan be faraway from the top workplace and the Wrestling Federation of India be disbanded.

They had accused the WFI physique and its chief of sexual harassment and mistreatment of wrestlers.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)