Indian Wrestling Team Withdraws from World Championship
Conflict with Sports Ministry
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to pull out the Indian team from the World Wrestling Championship in Tirana, Albania, scheduled for October 28. The decision was made due to alleged interference by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in the WFI’s autonomy.
Letter to United World Wrestling
WFI sent a letter to Nenad Lalovic, President of United World Wrestling, expressing concerns over the MYAS’s continued interference. The ministry had previously ordered the WFI to stop its daily operations and directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an Ad-Hoc Committee to govern the WFI.
Court Involvement
On August 16, 2024, an Indian court instructed the IOA to establish another Ad-Hoc Committee following a case filed by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart. Despite support from IOA President Ms. PT Usha, the WFI claims the MYAS’s actions are causing disruptions.
Impact on Championships
The WFI was preparing for selection trials for the World Championships in non-Olympic weight categories. However, court orders based on the MYAS’s suspension letter have halted these plans, leading to the withdrawal of entries for the event.
Request for Action
WFI has requested UWW to invoke Article 6.3 of its regulations and take action against the MYAS’s interference. They also seek to forward a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Conclusion
The WFI accuses four wrestlers of pushing for the federation’s suspension, despite the potential negative impact on others. The World Wrestling Championship is set to begin on October 28 in Tirana, Albania.
Doubts Revealed
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) -: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is the organization responsible for overseeing and promoting the sport of wrestling in India. It organizes competitions and selects athletes to represent India in international wrestling events.
World Wrestling Championship -: The World Wrestling Championship is a major international wrestling competition where athletes from different countries compete to be the best in the world. It is held in different countries each year.
Tirana, Albania -: Tirana is the capital city of Albania, a country in Europe. It is where the World Wrestling Championship was supposed to take place.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) -: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) is a part of the Indian government that focuses on sports and activities for young people. It helps in developing sports in India and supports athletes.
Ad-Hoc Committee -: An Ad-Hoc Committee is a temporary group formed to address a specific issue or task. In this case, it was set up to manage the Wrestling Federation of India.
United World Wrestling -: United World Wrestling is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling. It organizes world championships and ensures the rules of wrestling are followed globally.
