NEW DELHI: The Union sports activities ministry on Sunday suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), three days after it elected new office-bearers, for reportedly not following the provisions of its personal structure whereas taking choices and in addition directed the Indian Olympic Association to represent an ad-hoc panel to handle the affairs of the sports activities physique.

The authorities cited WFI’s “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” for preparations.

“The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. The federation stands suspended till further orders. WFI will not be taking care of day-to-day activities of wrestling. They need to follow the due process and the rules,” a sports activities ministry official mentioned.

The supply added that the brand new physique had began performing from the identical premises (Brij Bhushan’s official bungalow) the place the earlier office-bearers operated, and the place the alleged sexual harassment of the gamers had taken place.

WFI chief Sanjay Singh mentioned, nevertheless, that they are going to search revocation of the federation’s suspension by explaining to the federal government that there had been no flouting of guidelines, and if the problem was not resolved, they might discover authorized choices.

Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik, one of many outstanding faces of the agitation towards Brij Bhushan, welcomed the ministry’s transfer. “It is the first step towards something good happening. I hope the government understands more the cause we were fighting for… If a woman federation president is there, it will be better for the safety of women wrestlers. It was a fight for the sisters and daughters of the country,” she added.

Bajrang Punia, who had returned his Padma Shri medallion to the federal government, mentioned he gained’t take again his award. “Now that I have returned it, I am not going to take it back. The honour of our sisters and daughters is bigger than any award. All of you have seen what is happening.”

The ministry has written to the IOA asking it to kind a panel on the earliest. “Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office-bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI.”

Soon after the WFI’s suspension, BJP president J.P. Nadda referred to as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the previous WFI chief who can also be a sitting BJP member of Parliament, for a gathering, after which the previous WFI boss introduced that he was taking “retirement from the sport”.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh introduced that he gained’t be concerned within the operating of the WFI any longer. “I served wrestling for 12 years… good or bad only time will tell. I have taken retirement from wrestling. I am breaking my relationship with the sport… Now, whatever decision has to be taken, whether to liaise with the government or handling the legal processes, those decisions will be taken by the elected members. The Lok Sabha elections are around the corner and I have to move ahead,” he mentioned.