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The United World Wrestling (UWW) announced on Tuesday that they have lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with immediate effect.
“UWW had placed the WFI under provisional suspension on August 23 last year after the Indian body failed to hold an election in due course. The UWW Disciplinary Chamber decided that it had sufficient grounds to impose the provisional suspension on the body as the situation in the federation prevailed for at least six months,” a statement from the body announced.
Following a meeting held on February 9, the UWW Bureau decided to revoke the suspension of WFI under certain stipulations. Among these conditions is the requirement for the WFI to conduct new elections for its Athletes’ Commission, with candidates being either active athletes or retired for a maximum of four years. The voting process will be exclusively for athletes and must be conducted during trials or senior national championships, with a deadline set for July 1, 2024, for completion.
“The WFI has to immediately provide UWW with written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination in all WFI events, in particular trials for the Olympic Games and any other major national and international events. This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former President,” the statement added alleging to the protests spearheaded by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and the since-retired Sakshi Malik.
This development signifies that Indian wrestlers can now represent their nation’s flag at the upcoming UWW event, reversing the previous requirement for them to compete under a UWW flag during the suspension period. Additionally, with the suspension lifted, should Indian wrestlers secure top positions, the national anthem will rightfully accompany their victories. Prior to the suspension in August of the previous year, the UWW had issued a stern warning in June, denouncing the treatment and detention of protesting wrestlers, indicating escalating tensions leading to the eventual suspension.
