Credit: X
The United World Wrestling (UWW), the governing body of wrestling, has lifted the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) immediately. After UWW had placed WFI under provisional suspension on August 23 last year, the bureau of the wrestling governing body met on February 9 to review their decision before lifting the suspension under some conditions.
The provisional suspension of the WFI happened last year after they had failed to hold an election in due course, with the UWW Disciplinary Chamber deciding to the contrary after finding out that the situation had prevailed for at least six months. At the UWW Bureau meeting, the WFI got a reprieve, but they have to adhere to the requisite conditions of the governing body of wrestling to stay afloat.
As per the official statement from the UWW, “The WFI has to re-convene the elections of its Athletes’ Commission. The candidates for this commission shall be active athletes or retired for no longer than four years. The voters shall be exclusively athletes. These elections shall take place during trials or any senior national championships where this operation can take place, but no later than July 1, 2024.”
Some of the other conditions for the WFI to follow are in regards to immediately providing the UWW “with written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination in all WFI events, in particular trials for the Olympic Games and any other major national and international events. This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former President.”
The UWW has also spoken about remaining in touch with wrestlers to follow up with them in the coming days.
Moreover, the lifting of the suspension of the WFI means that the Indian wrestlers will be able to compete under India’s flag in the upcoming UWW events. During the suspension period, the Indian players had to compete under a UWW flag.
