Delhi High Court Reinstates IOA's Ad Hoc Committee for Wrestling Federation

The Delhi High Court has restored the Indian Olympic Association's ad hoc committee to manage the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). This decision follows a plea by renowned wrestlers, amidst ongoing disputes over elections and governance. The court emphasized that the committee should function until the suspension order on WFI is reviewed or recalled.

The Delhi High Court has reinstated the mandate of the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad hoc committee to oversee the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). This follows a petition by celebrated wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, challenging the recent WFI elections.

The court ruled that the IOA's decision to dissolve the committee was incompatible with the Union Sports Ministry's suspension of the WFI, necessitating the ad hoc committee's continued governance until the suspension order is reviewed or revoked. Justice Sachin Datta clarified that while the IOA can reconstitute the committee, it must include multiple members who are experts or prominent sportspersons.

Despite the lifting of the WFI's suspension by United World Wrestling (UWW), the court emphasized that the Sports Ministry shouldn't be deterred from ensuring good governance. Notably, the push for the committee stemmed from governance issues highlighted during last year's protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

(With inputs from agencies.)