Delhi Court Restores WFI Ad Hoc Committee

The Delhi High Court has restored the mandate of the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad-hoc committee to manage the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) following a plea from prominent wrestlers including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat. The court ruled that the previous dissolution of the committee was unwarranted and emphasized the need for a multi-member body to address concerns from the United World Wrestling (UWW). The WFI plans to challenge this ruling, claiming it could jeopardize Indian wrestlers' participation in upcoming World Championships due to potential 'interference' in their affairs. The court's decision comes in the context of the WFI's controversial elections in December 2023, which were marred by allegations against former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This ruling allows the IOA to reconstitute the committee while the WFI remains under suspension by the Union Sports Ministry. The outcome of the WFI's appeal could significantly impact the future of wrestling governance in India.