The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday received a big blow. United World Wrestling (UWW), the International body suspended the WFI for not holding the elections on time. Following the suspension, the Indian Wrestlers will have to compete in the upcoming International events under a neutral flag.
Also Read: UWW suspends WFI, India wrestlers to not play under Tricolour at Worlds
The wrestling community is saddened by the happenings and several coaches have blamed the Sports Ministry. Speaking exclusively to Insidesport, Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Singh said, “It is a matter of great shame, a very sad incident for our country. It is very unfortunate because the country’s wrestling is making a name for us all over the world and such incidents bring it down.”
“This is sheer fault of the Sports Ministry and they should not have stopped the elections. Due to the mistakes of the Sports Ministry and the Government of India, the elections were not held. It is a matter of great shame that the wrestlers of our country will participate in the championship without the tricolor,” he added.
Another coach Dayanand Singh Sujith spoke to InsideSport and said, “This is very wrong, if elections were held at the right time, we would not have had to face all this. Neither the country nor the players will feel good if the players take the mat without the Indian tricolour.”
The UWW had earlier warned on April 28 earlier this year that the WFI could face suspension if the deadline for holding the elections was not respected. WFI had originally planned to hold the elections on 7th May. However the Sports Ministry intervened and declared the process invalid.
