New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Sanjay Singh said the newly elected body has not flouted any norms and sought the revocation of the suspension, news agency PTI reported. The Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the WFI for making a “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” for preparations.

Speaking to PTI, Sanjay Singh said, “We have not flouted rules, we will seek revocation of WFI suspension from government. If the suspension is not lifted, we can explore legal options to challenge it.”

The Sports Ministry said the WFI was working under the “complete control of former office-bearers” which was in violation of the National Sports Code, PTI reported.

“The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. The Federation stands suspended till further orders. WFI will not be taking care of day-to-day activities of wrestling. They need to follow the due process and the rules,” an official told PTI.

Weighing in on the accusation that WFI was under the influence of the former members, Singh said former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was not his relative and they only shared a bond of friendship.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sanjay Singh said, “When the new federation was formed, he (Brij Bhushan Singh) was sent off. He and I are from different community then how can we be relatives? When he was the president of the federation, I was the joint secretary. There was just a bond and friendship at that time between us.”

#WATCH | On suspension of newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by Union Sports Ministry, Sanjay Singh (who was elected as new WFI president) says, ” When New Federation was formed, he (Brijbhushan Singh) was sent off and today he told that he has retired from… pic.twitter.com/jJAmPZT1fK

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Meanwhile, after suspending WFI, the Sports Ministry asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc body to control and manage its affairs, PTI reported.

“…It becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to make suitable arrangements for the interim for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopardised,” a letter signed by Tarun Pareek, under-secretary to the Government of India, read.

The Sports Ministry asked the IOA to constitute the panel at the earliest.