Sanjay Singh has been elected as the new WFI chief after he pipped contender Anita Sheoran in the elections conducted on December 21. Sanjay, believed to be from the Brij Bhushan Singh faction, beat his rival and former CWG champion Sheoran, and got 40 votes in his favour. On the other hand, RSPB secretary Prem Chand Lochab who was from Sheoran’s faction, won the secretary general post.
Meanwhile, as reported earlier, the protesting wrestlers had expressed their displeasure over Sanjay Singh as the candidate and backed Sheoran for the post. Now, the protesting group could once again go on a dharna, but it remains to be seen, when.
WFI vs Brij Bhushan, How it All Started
Around a year back, top Indian wrestlers had gone on a protest at Jantar Mantar — Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik & Bajrang Punia — demanding the immediate removal of Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment. After a lot of delay, in June, a chargesheet was filed against Bruj Bhushan Singh under sections (354, 354A, and 354D) of the Indian Penal Code.
Multiple Delays in WFI Elections
The first date set for the WFI elections was set at May 7 but was postponed by the Sports Ministry after the wrestlers decided to protest again. The dates were changed a couple of times in July as well, with state wrestling bodies asking for voting rights.
There was yet another delay on the August 12 election date, after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a stay.
