Wrestling Federation Of India President Thanks Central Government After Ban Gets Revoked

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh thanked the central government following the revocation of the ban on the body by the Union Sports Ministry and also announced that wrestling leagues will start from November-December this year. The Sports Ministry had suspended the WFI body after the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announced the hosting of the U-15 and U-20 nationals at Nandini Nagar in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh in December 2023. Speaking to ANI, Sanjay said, "This is a very happy moment for the wrestling federation. I want to thank PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for removing the suspension on WFI for the betterment of the country."

"Camps and events were not being able to held. People from all the states and backgrounds, especially the poor attend these camps, learn techniques and share them with people in their state. It benefits wrestling. Wrestling Leagues will be launched by June-July. Leagues will also start by November-December. Leagues will benefit the athletes a lot. They used to gain exposure by interacting with foreign talent," he added.

Starting from 2023, Several ace wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia spearheaded protests against WFI and its former president Brij Bhushan Singh, alleging him of sexual assault.

In August 2023, United World Wrestling (UWW) put a ban on WFI as it failed to organise elections within a stipulated time following accusations of sexual harassment and protests against ex-president Brij Bhushan Singh by top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik. An ad hoc committee by the International Olympic Association (IOA) was put in place.

In late December 2023, elections