The Indian Olympic Association has formed the three-member ad hoc committee to oversee the proceedings in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). WFI has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. After Sanjay Singh was elected the new president of WFI post the freshly-held elections, wrestler Sakshi Malik announced retirement from the sport stating that she is not giving up her fight but doesn't wish to continue.
Sports Ministry had then suspended the Sanjay Singh-led WFI for its "hasty decision" to conduct the U-15 and U-20 nationals without giving enough time for wrestlers to prepare for the competition. At the same time, following its decision, the Ministry had also requested the IOA to set up a committee. In response, the IOA has now appointed a three-member committee comprising - Mr Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, IOA EC Member - Chairman, Mr MM Somaya - Member and Ms Manjusha Kanwar - Member.
The ad hoc committee that has been formed, it's job will be to supervise WFI's operations, which include athlete selection, submitting entries for athletes to participate in international events, organizing sports activities, handling bank accounts, managing the website, and other related responsibilities. "Since the IOA considers adherence to governance norms as vital for ensuring fair play, transparency and accountability and to safeguard the interests of sportspersons as espoused by IOC and to ensure continuity, it has been decided to appoint an Ad hoc committee with immediate effect," the statement of IOA from the official press release read.
For the unversed, in the aftermath of Sanjay Singh being elected as WFI Chief, after Sakshi Malik's retirement, wrestler Vinesh Phogat decided to return her Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award even as Bajrang Punia also returned his Padmashree Award.
