WFI election on August 12, revised schedule announced

CHENNAI: The much-awaited election to the executive committee of the Wrestling Federation of India will now be held on August 12. The returning officer Justice MM Kumar, retired chief justice from the J&K High Court, issued the revised schedule on Friday.

As per the revised schedule, all the stages that had already been completed before the Gauhati High Court stayed the election process on June 25 (Sunday) will be deemed over. The process will now begin with preparation and display of the electoral college and circulation to affiliates and publishing the same on the website of the Indian Olympic Association and WFI on Friday.

As many as five units apart from the recognised associations from the respective states staked their claims for sending two representatives for the WFI election before the process was stalled. The returning officer had heard those units and had been resolved to ensure the electoral college was prepared and sent to affiliated state units.

In the case of the Himachal Pradesh Wrestling Association the RO said in an order that the dispute between two factions have been resolved. “In pursuance of the High Court order, the parties met and resolved the dispute”, said the RO in its order dated 20.07.2023.

The unit is now eligible to send two nominations for the electoral college. In the case of Rajasthan Wrestling Association, the RO has accepted the nomination of Ummed Singh and Nanu Singh who are recognised by the WFI.

“I hold the nomination submitted by Sh Ummed Singh and Sh Nanu Singh to be included in the Electoral College for the election,” said the RO’s order. Because of two rival factions in Maharashtra, the RO has said “…keeping in mind the serious deadlock, I do not feel it safe to permit either of the parties to nominate any of its members to constitute electoral college,” read the order dated 21.07.2023.

For Telangana Wrestling Association the RO has allowed Hamza-bin Omer and K Narsing Rao to be part of the electoral college and not the other faction. Same is the case with Haryana. The faction led by Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda were not eligible as they were not recognised by the WFI. According to the RO’s order, the other faction’s president and secretary Rohtas Singh and Rakesh Singh are part of the electoral college.

As was reported by this daily, the sidelined WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his son Karan, who is vice-president of the NSF are set to attend the special general body meeting on August 12 and may cast their votes if polling is required to elect the new body.

Notably, the Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association challenged the stay on the election in the Supreme Court through an SLP and the Apex Court stayed the interim direction of the Gauhati High Court.