Sanjay Singh, a close associate of ousted WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, secured victory to become the newly elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India. In a highly contested electoral showdown, Sanjay emerged triumphant, prevailing over Commonwealth Games gold medalist wrestler Anita Sheoran with a commanding vote count of 40-7.
The electoral process, amidst a backdrop of legal disputes, transpired earlier on Thursday due to the federation’s ongoing suspension by the international governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW).
Elections were conducted for 15 positions, including pivotal roles such as the president, treasurer, secretary-general, and senior vice-president.
Despite Anita Sheoran’s faction claiming the position of secretary-general with Prem Chand Lochab’s victory (former RSPB secretary) against Darshan Lal with a 27-19 vote count, Devender Singh Kadian, aligned with the protesting wrestlers, secured the senior vice-president’s role, prevailing over I D Nanavati with a vote count of 32-15.
The faction associated with Brij Bhushan clinched all four vice president positions with Jai Prakash from Delhi (37), Asit Kumar Saha from West Bengal (42), Kartar Singh from Punjab (44), and N Phoni from Manipur (38) emerging as victors.
Satyapal Singh Deshwal, affiliated with the Brij Bhushan camp, assumed the role of the new treasurer.
Following his election, the newly appointed WFI president promptly addressed the issues prevalent within the Indian wrestling community, directing comments toward prominent wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, who had led protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan earlier this year.
Sanjay Singh, upon victory, stated, “Those interested in competing should focus on wrestling, while those involved in politics should continue doing so. Political matters will be dealt with in the political arena.”
Previously, wrestlers like Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh Phogat had protested against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan, raising serious allegations, including accusations of sexual assault against the multiple-time Member of Parliament.
Despite seeking intervention from Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Bajrang and Sakshi’s efforts to prevent Brij Bhushan’s associate from contesting for president did not yield success.
With the conclusion of WFI’s office bearer elections, a pathway has been cleared for United World Wrestling (UWW) to lift the suspension imposed on WFI. This suspension resulted from WFI’s failure to conduct elections within the deadline set by UWW in August. Consequently, Indian wrestlers had to compete as neutral athletes in global events over the past few months.
-IANS
