World wrestling body suspends WFI for not conducting election

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with immediate effect for failing to conduct elections on time. The move will not allow Indian grapplers to compete at the upcoming World Championships under the Indian flag. The Indian wrestlers will have to compete as 'neutral athletes' at the Olympic-qualifying World Championships starting September 16. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had appointed the ad-hoc panel on April 27 and the committee was supposed to hold elections within 45 days. But ad-hoc panel failed to honour the 45-day deadline for conducting the elections.
The elections for 15 positions on the WFI's governing body were scheduled to be held on August 12.Ffour candidates,Sanjay Singh from Uttar Pradesh, filed nominations for the post of president at the Olympic Bhawan in New Delhi.Darshan Lal of the Chandigarh wrestling body was nominated for the position of general secretary, while SP Deswal of Uttarakhand was nominated for treasurer.The WFI has been embroiled in a series of controversies, causing its elections to be postponed significantly. The federation, which is India's wrestling governing body, was supposed to hold elections in June 2023. However, the elections have been repeatedly postponed due to a series of protests by Indian wrestlers and legal petitions from various state units.