Sports Ministry Lifts Ban On Wrestling Federation of India
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Why Was The WFI Suspended by the Union Sports Ministry?
Back in August 2023, United World Wrestling made a massive call to place a ban on the Wrestling Federation of India. The decision taken was due to the WFi’s failure to arrange elections within a specified timeframe following accusations of sexual harassment and protests against now ex-president Brij Bhushan.
Among those who spearheaded these protests were some of India’s most well-known wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. However, despite Sanjay Singh’s appointment as the new president in December 2025, the wrestlers continued their protest, claiming that Singh was a long-time allay of Bhushan.
Shortly after the election, the WFI was again suspended in late 2023 in the wake of the protests and lapses relating to the governance and procedural integrity of the newly elected body. The suspended WFI was therefore unable to organise national competitions, nor were they able to send teams to participate in international competitions.
The matter was suspended until March this year, with the sports ministry seeking corrective measures from the WFI around the situation. The WFI submitted the steps taken, including the formation of an Athletes Commission with voting rights, the establishment of a Sexual Harassment Committee and an Internal Complaint Committee, among other measures.
Last week, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took the decision to lift the suspension on the WFI, restoring its recognition as a National Sports Federation for the sport.
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Just a few days after the sports ministry lifted its ban, the WFI held its selection trials in New Delhi to choose the wrestlers who would represent the nation at the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, between March 25 and 30. This marked the first such selection conducted by the WFI since August 2022.
At the selection trial, Deepak Punia clinched the gold medal in the 92kg division and Antim Panghal won the 52kg category. As a result, both wrestlers were selected to represent India at the Asian Championships. Other winners included Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Vishal Kaliraman (70kg) and Sunil Kumar (87kg).
The Indian wrestlers selected will head to the Championships on March 23 to compete in freestyle and the Greco-Roman categories for both men and women. Thereafter, the participants will look forward to the 2025 World Championships which will be hosted in Zagreb from September 13 to 21.
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