Page 7 - Wrestling Federation Of India

WFI elections: Brij Bhushan camp files nominations with full fanfare

Four candidates, including outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's close aide Sanjay Singh from UP, filed nominations for the post of president amid fanfare at the Olympic Bhawan here on Monday. Darshan Lal from the Chandigarh wrestling body filed his nomination for the post of general secretary, while SP Deswal from Uttarakhand filed his nomination for the post of treasurer from the Brij Bhushan camp. The Brij Bhushan camp claims to have the support of 22 of the 25 state units and, after filing their nominations, expressed "confidence" of winning all 15 posts during the WFI elections on August 12. On a day of hectic activity at the Olympic Bhawan, a convoy of nominees and supporters from the Brij Bhushan camp arrived with the "blessings" of the BJP leader, and after extensive paperwork, filed their nominations before former J&K High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar, the Returning Office appointed for the WFI elections. The last date for ...

No one from my family is contesting WFI polls: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said no member of his family will contest the upcoming elections of the national sports body but reiterated that his group has the support of 22 state associations. BJP MP Brij Bhushan had claimed that 22 out of 25 state units attended a meeting hosted by him on Sunday, adding that "his candidates" for various posts for the federation elections on August 12 will be announced on Monday. Brij Bhushan visited the Indian Olympic Association office here on the last day of nomination for WFI elections on Monday. "Today is the last day of nominations, members from 22 state associations were here and they came to meet and are now going for filing their nominations. There is no one from my family," he said. "Let the elections happen first and then whoever wins will do their work." Brij Bhushan, against whom the country's six top wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Asian G

WFI elections: Brij Bhushan claims 22 state units attended his meeting

Outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claimed that 22 out of 25 state units attended a meeting hosted by him here on Sunday, adding that "his candidates" for various posts for the federation elections on August 12 will be announced on July 31. Monday is the last date for filing nominations. "Twenty-two of the 25 states unites associated with the WFI attended the meeting. (Our) candidates will be announced on Monday," said BJP MP Brij Bhushan, who hosted the meeting at a five-star hotel here. Brij Bhushan, against whom the country's six top wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajranj Punia and Sakshi Malik had levelled allegations of sexual harassment, is ineligible to contest as he has completed 12 years a head of the federation -- the maximum period allowed as per the National Sports Code. A state unit member who attended the meeting here said on condition of anonymity that the BJP leader's son-in-law, who is widely being touted as Bri

WFI elections: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to convene meeting on July 30

Outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has convened a meeting on Sunday to nominate his panel, which will contest the upcoming WFI elections to elect the new office-bearers. Though Brij Bhushan and his son Karan are not part of the electoral college for the elections, the BJP leader's son-in-law Vishal Singh is a representative from Bihar in the polls and could likely contest for a top position. Outgoing WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar confirmed that a meeting had been scheduled by Brij Bhushan on July 30, though he did not specify the venue. "Yes, the outgoing president has convened a meeting on Sunday. It has not been decided where the meeting will take place. The meeting will likely be attended by all those (state body officials) who support him (Brij Bhushan)," said Tomar. "The presidents and secretaries of the various state associations will likely come for the meeting to discuss the candidates for the elections. The venue for the meetin

Asian Games: Olympic medalist Ravi Dahiya loses in trials to Atish Todakr

Ravi Dahiya lost to Atish Todakar by fall after trailing 8-20. Todkar lost to Rahul, who was then beaten by Asian Championship gold medalist Aman Sehrawat. Thus Sehrawat qualified in 57-kg category

Championing meek my nature, says outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh

BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who recently got bail from a Delhi court, on Saturday said it is in his nature to side with the weak, just as has been the culture of India. "I had sided with the weak. Maybe it's my nature. And this is not only my nature, it is also the nature of my country," Singh said, addressing a prize distribution function here, with no apparent context to his remarks. The lawmaker from Kaiserganj said "things are getting clear now and are there for all to see," adding, he cannot be any more explicit. The Wrestling Federation of India chief, who is accused of harassing several female athletes, also said, "I had said in the beginning that whatever is going against me pertains to the struggle against my policy. At that time, my statements were not considered correct." Addressing the youths, the lawmaker advised them to work ceaselessly and honestly. "You should do your work honestly. For seven months, the world was making comments agains

WFI elections on Aug 12, Maharashtra declared ineligible for participation

The much-delayed elections of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will be conducted on August 12, it was announced on Friday, but the state of Maharashtra will not be part of the poll process as Returning Officer Justice MM Kumar declared that both rival factions were ineligible for participation. The ad-hoc panel had scheduled the elections for July 6 but it was forced to reschedule the polls to July 11 after disaffiliated state bodies from Maharashtra, Haryana, Telangana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh approached it for a hearing, claiming that their dismissal was not appropriate. Panel heard the aggrieved representatives of the state bodies but the polls could not go ahead even on July 11 with Gauhati High Court staying the elections after Assam Wrestling Association (AWA) sought right to participate in the poll process. The Supreme Court then paved the way for elections on Tuesday after staying the Gauhati High Court order. The electoral college will now have 48 members wit

Delhi court grants regular bail to outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to outgoing WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. The court also allowed the bail application of suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. I am granting bail on a bond of Rs 25,000 each with certain conditions, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal said. The metropolitan court directed the accused not to leave the country without its prior permission and not offer any inducement to witnesses in the case. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against the six-time MP on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court had earlier in the day reserved its order on the bail applications of Singh and Tomar. The judge reserved the order after hearing ...

Delhi court to hear regular bail plea of outgoing WFI chief at 4 pm

A Delhi court on Thursday reserved for later in the day the order on regular bail application of outgoing WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. The judge reserved the order after hearing arguments from the counsel appearing for the accused, the prosecution as well as the complainants. Will pass order at 4 PM, the judge said. During the hearing, the public prosecutor, representing Delhi Police, asked the court to try the accused as per law and impose certain conditions if relief was granted. When the court asked the prosecutor if he was opposing the bail application, he said, I am neither opposing nor supporting. Application should be dealt as per law and the order passed by the Supreme Court, he told the court. The counsel, appearing for the complainants, opposed the application, saying the accused was very influential. Bail should not be granted. If at all it is granted, strict conditions must be imposed. Witnesses hav

Delhi HC seeks WFI's stand on challenge to Asian Games trials exemption

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to state before it the basis for the exemption grant to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from the Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad, while hearing a petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry handed to Phogat and Punia, asked the sporting body to file its response during the day. "If it (basis for selection) is just, fair and reasonable, it is the end of the matter," said the judge as he listed the matter for hearing on Friday. The court asked the counsel for the WFI to state what was the basis for selection besides Phogat and Punia being good sportspersons. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entries for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday while other wrestlers will have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and ..

Asian Games 2023: Final call on wrestling squad ahead of departure - IOA

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday said the final assessment of the country's wrestling contingent for the upcoming Asian Games will be made prior to players' departure for China to "maximise the chances of sending the most competitive team". The IOA said in a statement that "the selection process for wrestlers to participate in the Asian Games is designed to be fair, transparent and in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the International Federation (UWW)". IOA statement came after country's promising junior wrestlers moved the Delhi High Court, demanding a fair trial as ad-hoc panel exempted Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from Asian Games trials. However IOA officials did not elaborate if assessment will be relevant after sending entries. Several calls to IOA officials went unanswered. "The Selection Committee, comprising experienced officials and experts, has recently published the norms for selection of wrestlers, so that the entry process of the team .

WFI elections likely on August 7 after series of postponements: Report

The much-awaited Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)elections are likely to be held on August 7 following a series of postponements, sources in the IOA ad-hoc panel said on Wednesday. The WFI elections were earlier scheduled to be conducted on July 11 but the Gauhati High Court had stayed the polls, following Assam Wrestling Association's (AWA) plea seeking right to participate in the poll process. The roadblock was cleared after the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Gauhati High Court order. The Assam association had claimed that it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI with voting rights but it was denied recognition by the national federation despite its Executive Committee recommending the same on November 15, 2014. "The discussions happened today. The issue of five disputed state bodies is still being discussed. Unless that issue resolved, a final list of electoral college can't be prepared. But in all likelihood, the elections will be held on August 7," said a

WFI elections now to be held on August 7 following series of postponements

The much-awaited Wrestling Federation of India elections will be held on August 7 following a series of postponements, according to sources in the parent body. The WFI elections were earlier scheduled to be conducted on July 11 but the Gauhati High Court had stayed the polls, following Assam Wrestling Association's (AWA) plea seeking right to participate in the poll process. The state association had claimed that it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI with voting rights but it was denied recognition by the national federation despite its Executive Committee recommending the same on November 15, 2014. The Gauhati High Court had stayed the polls on June 25, the last date to submit names for the electoral college. The roadblock was cleared on Tuesday after the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed an order of the Gauhati High Court. The WFI, before being suspended by the sports ministry, had set May 7 as the election date. The sports ministry had ordered the WFI to suspend

WFI election: Supreme Court lifts Gauhati HC stay, orders polls immediately

The Gauhati High Court had put WFI elections on hold after Assam Wrestling Association filed a petition over its right to participate in the polls

Asian Games 2023: Why wrestlers Vinesh, Bajrang get exemption for trials?

Bajrang secured Bronze in Tokyo Olympics and Belgrade's Worlds while Vinesh had a podium finish in the same worlds

WFI elections delayed further as Gauhati HC fixes Jul 28 for next hearing

The delayed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections were pushed further on Monday with the Gauhati High Court fixing July 28 as the next date for hearing the petition, filed by the Assam Wrestling Association. The WFI elections were to be conducted on July 11 but the Gauhati High Court had stayed the polls, following Assam Wrestling Association's (AWA) plea seeking right to participate in the election process. The state association had claimed that it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI with voting rights but it was denied recognition by the national federation despite its Executive Committee recommending the same on November 15, 2014. Devajit Saikia, the AWA advocate told PTI that the matter has been listed for next hearing on July 28. "The WFI lawyer didn't appear before the court today. Representative of the sports ministry, which is among the respondents, sought one week's time to file their affidavit. Accordingly, the court asked them to file the affidavi

Asian Games: Bajrang, Vinesh, Ravi might be exempted from Wrestling trials

The IOA ad-hoc committee on Wednesday decided to hold much-awaited Asian Games wrestling trials on July 22-23 and though the panel has not revealed the format and criteria, it may exempt current Olympic and world medallists from the selection competition which will hand direct entries to Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Ravi Dahiya. After IOA's request for deadline extension beyond July 22 was shot down by the OCA, the ad-hoc panel met in New Delhi and decided that men's Greco Roman and women's trials will be held on July 22 and the selection of the men's free style team will be done the next day. Trials in 18 Olympic weight categories -- six each in three formats (free style and Greco Roman for men and free style for women) -- have to be conducted by the ad-hoc committee, which is managing the day-to-day affairs of WFI. "We have decided to conduct the trials on July 22 and 23 at the Kedar Jadhav hall in IG Stadium. First we will invite the Greco Roman and women's wrestlers and then

Indian wrestlers: Asian Games organisers reject IOA request for extension

The Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) has rejected the IOA's request for further extension of deadline for sending entries by name of the Indian wrestling team for the continental multi-sporting event. The IOA had earlier requested the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to extend the deadline to send entries by name of the Indian wrestlers to August 5, but they were only given an extension of seven days (July 22). The HAGOC has set July 15 as the date for all competing countries to send the names of their athletes for the Asian Games (September 23 to October 8). On Monday, the IOA again requested the OCA to re-consider extending the date to sometime in August, which was finally been rejected by HAGOC. "The Hangzhou Organising Committee has rejected the IOA's request for further extension. They conveyed it to the OCA and OCA has told this to the IOA," an Indian Olympic Association source told PTI. With the July 22 deadline fast approaching for picking the Indian wrestlin

Asian Games 2023: IOA ad-hoc panel pushes back decision on wrestling trials

The IOA ad-hoc panel members met on Tuesday but could not finalise a date to conduct wrestling trials for the Asian Games and World Championship as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was still sitting on its request for July 15 deadline extension. The IOA is supposed to give names of all participating Indian athletes to the Asian Games organisers by July 15 and it had requested them to extend the deadline to August 10 so that it could provide the protesting wrestlers enough time to be ready. Six wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, among others, had requested the sports ministry to grant them additional time to prepare for Asian Games trials. They had contended that they are not in good physical shape to appear in trials due to their 38-day long protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The ad-hoc panel, on its part, had exempted them from Asian Games and

Gauhati High Court stays the Wrestling Federation of India elections

The Gauhati High Court on Sunday stayed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, scheduled for July 11, on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association. Assam Wrestling Association, in its petition filed against the WFI, IOA ad-hoc body and the Sports Ministry, said that though it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI, it was granted one "despite recommendation made by then WFI Executive Committee at WFI's General Council in Gonda, on November 15, 2014. The ad-hoc panel has fixed June 25 as the last date for receiving the names for the electoral college while the while the elections to elect the new governing body would be held on July 11. The petitioner contended that unless their body is affiliated to the WFI, and they can nominate their representative to the electoral college, the election process should be stalled. The court directed the respondents -- WFI ad-hoc body and the Sports Ministry -- that till the next date is fixed for hearing they shou