Pune: Sharad Pawar welcomes suspension of Wrestling Federation of India, says decision should have been taken earlier

File Photo/PTI

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday welcomed the suspension of the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), but said the Sports Ministry should have taken the decision earlier.

The Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), three days after it elected new office bearers, for not following the provisions of its constitution while taking decisions.

The ministry asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc panel to manage the affairs of the sports body.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar said, "The decision (to suspend the WFI) should have been taken earlier. There was a complaint about objectionable conduct towards women wrestlers."

"A decision should have been taken against such elements long back. Although it is delayed, I welcome the decision," he said.

In suspending the WFI, the government cited its "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.

Hours after getting elected as WFI president on December 21, Sanjay Singh announced that age group national championships will be held from December 28 in Gonda, UP.

Also read: WFI suspension: Sharad Pawar-led NCP calls it farce, says it won't absolve BJP of wrongdoing

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat had accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting women wrestlers during his tenure as WFI president.

After Brij Bhushan's loyalist Sanjay Singh was elected as the WFI president, Malik announced her retirement from the sport, while Punia returned his Padma Shri medallion to the government.

Meanwhile Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former wrestling federation chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, on Monday he has severed all ties with the sport and his upcoming meeting with Union Home Minister Amit will have nothing to do with it.

Bhushan held a press conference saying, "Sanjay Singh is not my relative. I have withdrawn myself from wrestling affairs of the country."

On Monday, he reaffirmed that he had broken all ties with the sport and wouldn't be involved with activities related to the sport.

"Whatever I had to say, I said yesterday. I have taken retirement from wrestling administration and have nothing to do with the sport anymore. As far as meeting Union HM Amit Shah is concerned, if it happens, we will not discuss wrestling. Sanjay Singh should do his work, I am doing mine. The wrestling issue is between the government and the elected federation, I have nothing to do with this," Brij Bhushan told reporters. (With inputs from agencies)