The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has withdrawn the Indian team from the upcoming World Wrestling Championship, citing interference from the Sports Ministry.
The championship, set to take place in Tirana, Albania from October 28, features 12 non-Olympic categories.
The WFI communicated its decision to the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body, highlighting concerns over its autonomy being undermined by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
The WFI has been at odds with the ministry since it was suspended by the government following internal elections in December 2023.
The WFI’s suspension by the MYAS stems from a letter issued on December 24, 2023, which directed the federation to stop all day-to-day activities and allowed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to manage its affairs.
WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed his frustration in a letter to UWW President Nenad Lalovic, saying, “Unfortunately, the MYAS continues to interfere in the autonomy of the WFI. The MYAS has ordered WFI to cease administration, and directed the IOA to create an ad-hoc committee for governance.”
The ad-hoc panel formed earlier this year was dissolved by the IOA in March after UWW lifted its ban on the WFI in February.
However, the wrestlers, including prominent names like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, along with her husband Satyawart Kadian, challenged the dissolution in court, seeking an administrator to oversee WFI’s operations.
The court issued an interim order stating that the ad-hoc committee must continue to manage the WFI until the government suspension is revoked.
The WFI has now asked UWW to invoke Article 6.3 of the UWW Regulations, which stipulates that national federations must govern their activities independently, free from political or governmental influence.
The federation also requested that the matter be treated as a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Indian team for the World Championship was expected to include several promising athletes across freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling categories.
However, with the WFI’s withdrawal, their participation is now in jeopardy.