WFI Suspension Lifted: After two years of governance turmoil, legal battles, and protests, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has finally had its suspension lifted by the Union Sports Ministry on March 11, 2025. This decision paves the way for Indian wrestlers to participate in international competitions smoothly.
The journey, however, has been filled with controversy, power struggles, and multiple leadership changes. Here’s a detailed timeline of how WFI’s governance crisis unfolded over the past two years.
WFI Suspension Lifted: A Complete Timeline of Indian Wrestling Federation’s Struggles
Table of Contents
Timeline of WFI’s Power Struggle
2023: Wrestlers’ Protest and Initial Suspension
- January 18: Wrestlers begin a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanding his resignation.
- January 20: Wrestlers write to IOA President PT Usha for an inquiry. A seven-member IOA committee, including MC Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, is formed to investigate.
- January 21: Protest is halted after a meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. An Oversight Committee is set up to probe the allegations, and Brij Bhushan steps aside.
Formation of Oversight Committee & Discontent
- January 23: An Oversight Committee, led by Mary Kom, is given four weeks to investigate.
- January 24: Wrestlers express displeasure, claiming they weren’t consulted about the committee members.
- April 16: WFI announces elections for May 7, but the Oversight Committee’s report is not made public.
- April 23: Wrestlers return to protest, revealing that seven female wrestlers (including a minor) had filed harassment complaints against Brij Bhushan.
Legal Battles and Protests Intensify
- April 24: Ministry postpones WFI elections, asking IOA to set up an ad-hoc body to oversee operations.
- April 25: Wrestlers approach the Supreme Court, demanding an FIR against Brij Bhushan.
- May 3: A scuffle breaks out between protesters and Delhi Police.
- May 10-11: Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to undergo a narco test.
New Developments in WFI Leadership
- May 28: Top wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia face rioting charges during a protest.
- June 7: Wrestlers temporarily suspend protests after Minister Thakur’s assurances about a fair investigation.
- June 25: Guwahati High Court stops WFI elections (scheduled for July 11).
- July 19: Elections are rescheduled for August 7, but postponed again due to legal complications.
Election Disputes & UWW Suspension
- August 23: The United World Wrestling (UWW) suspends WFI for not holding elections on time.
- December 21: Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan loyalist, is elected WFI President.
- December 24: The Sports Ministry suspends WFI again, citing governance and procedural lapses.
2024: Court Orders and Further Delays
- March 9: Delhi High Court halts WFI trials, directing an ad-hoc panel to oversee team selection.
- March 18: IOA dissolves the ad-hoc committee, leading to further uncertainty.
- August 16: Delhi High Court reinstates the ad-hoc committee until the government formally recalls WFI’s suspension.
2025: Suspension Finally Lifted
- March 11, 2025: The Union Sports Ministry revokes WFI’s suspension, restoring governance control.
- March 15, 2025: WFI schedules selection trials for the Asian Championships (March 25-30, 2025) at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Delhi.
What Led to the Suspension Being Lifted?
The Ministry lifted WFI’s suspension after verifying that:
- WFI had distanced itself from Brij Bhushan and his associates.
- Governance issues were addressed as per the National Sports Code.
- Selection for international events would be conducted fairly and transparently.
What’s Next for Indian Wrestling?
With the suspension lifted, Indian wrestlers can now focus on their performance without administrative disruptions. The upcoming Asian Championships in Amman (March 25-30, 2025) will be the first major event post-suspension, marking a fresh start for Indian wrestling.
FAQs
Why was the WFI suspended?
The WFI was suspended due to governance issues, election delays, and influence from former office-bearers violating the National Sports Code.
When was the suspension lifted?
The WFI’s suspension was lifted on March 11, 2025, by the Union Sports Ministry.