Sanjay Singh vows to organise nationals, reiterates not recognising ad-hoc panel

Sanjay Singh, president of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), declared that they will soon organise the national championships and insisted they don’t recognise the ad-hoc panel or their suspension.

Three days after WFI held its long overdue polls, the Sports Ministry suspended the national wrestling body for violating multiple rules.

At the request of the government, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a three-member panel, headed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, to manage the day-to-day affairs of the body. The other members of the committee are former hockey player M M Somaya and ex-shuttler Manjusha Kanwar.

Timeline: What has happened since WFI elections?

The ad-hoc panel announced that the senior national championships will be held between 2-5 February in Jaipur.

However, Sanjay remained combative and said they will not cooperate with the ad-hoc panel and will organise the nationals.

“We got elected democratically. The Returning Officer had signed the papers, how do they ignore that. We do not recognise this ad-hoc panel,” Sanjay told news agency PTI.

When asked how will they organise the nationals, he said, “We do not recognise this suspension. The WFI is working smoothly, we are on the job.”

“How will they (ad-hoc panel) organise nationals if our state associations will not send the teams. We will organise our national championship soon. We are soon calling the Executive Committee meeting. The notice of the EC meeting will be sent in a day or two and we will have the nationals organised before they do it.”

If the WFI does go on to organise its own nationals, things will only get messier for the sport in the country.

“We had sent our explanation to the ministry that we have not flouted any rules. We are still awaiting a reply. We will wait for a day or two. If they do not want to engage with us, we are not also not interested then. Our federation does not recognise this suspension.”

Indian wrestling has witnessed unprecedented power struggle in the last one year. In protest against Sanjay, who is a close aide of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, becoming WFI president, Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri and Vinesh Phogat returned her Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna. Sakshi Malik had quit wrestling the day Sanjay won the WFI president’s election.