PRESS RELEASE
IOA Constitutes Ad-Hoc Committee to
Manage WFI Office With Immediate Effect
New Delhi, April 27, 2023
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today formed a two-member Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of Mr. Bhupender Singh Bajwa, IOA Executive Council Member and Ms. Suma Shirur, Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit of IOA to run the office of Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI).
In the days leading upto WFI’s election, IOA will also appoint a retired High Court Judge to the Ad-Hoc Committee for fair and transparent election. The WFI Ad-Hoc committee will be responsible to manage the affairs of the federation including selection and participation of sportspersons in international events.
WFI’s earlier proposed May 7, 2023, election now stands null and void, as per the directive by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. New date for the election will be communicated by Ad-Hoc Committee.
The decision was taken at the IOA Executive Council emergency meeting chaired by President Ms. PT Usha in New Delhi.
PT Usha, however expressed her disappointment over the protesting wrestlers’ attempt to give this a political color.
She said, “Those protesting are renowned wrestlers who brought laurels to the country. They have an equal responsibility of safeguarding the interest of our sports, sportspersons and also the image of our country. However, I’m disappointed the way they are sitting on dharna, asking political parties to join them etc.”
“IOA had constituted a committee chaired by renowned female athlete Ms. Mary Kom, in January 2023 on receipt of the complaint. The committee held various hearings of the complainant players as well as the opponent person/s. It is unfortunate to see that instead of approaching this committee or IOA, the wrestlers choose to publicly protest.”
IOA will always be for the betterment and care of sportspersons and will extend all possible support for development of sports in our country. IOA’s paramount objective is to safeguard the interest of the Indian wrestlers and to ensure their participation in the forthcoming Asian Games and other international championships this year.
IOA Executive Council members also held discussion on the Order dated April 5, 2023 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on Appeal of SLP (C) No. 14533/2022 and decide on filing any objections or suggestions to the Constitution of IOA.
In the Order, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had asked all parties to file any objections or suggestions on the IOA Constitution which was drafted by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Nageswara Rao, former judge of the Supreme Court. The members present had a detailed discussion on the points that are required to be changed / corrected in the IOA Constitution.
The IOA President also expressed her satisfaction on the progress made by Goa for hosting 43 competitive disciplines in the National Games. An IOA delegation including its joint secretary and acting CEO Mr. Kalyan Chaubey had visited Goa on April 26, 2023 to meet the Chief Minister of Goa and review the preparation of the 37th National Games to be held later this year.
The Executive Council have also noticed and expressed concern on the governing lapses in Handball and Taekwondo association. IOA will act firmly to take decisions to avoid malpractice by any individual and to ensure development of sports and sportspersons.
The wrestlers should have come to us before if there was a serious allegation: PT Usha
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