WFI Withdraws India from World Championship

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has informed the United World Wrestling (UWW) of its intention to withdraw India’s entry from the upcoming World Championships in Tirana, Albania. The federation has cited the continued interference from the sports ministry and derecognition as problems with its smooth functioning.

Following the ministry’s suspension, the Delhi High Court directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad hoc committee to run the WFI. However, after the UWW lifted the ban, the ad hoc panel was disbanded, and the federation started functioning. A plea was filed against this, and the court issued an interim order noting that the IOA’s decision to dissolve the ad hoc committee was incompatible with the sports ministry’s suspension order.

The WFI recently announced selection trials for the U23 and World Championships, which were challenged as contempt of court. Therefore, the WFI has urged UWW to invoke 6.3 of its regulations so it may function independently without influence from political, religious, or economic pressures and also complain to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).