New Delhi: Sanjay Singh, recently elected president of the Federation of Lucha Libre de la India (WFI), on Thursday said the Sports Ministry did not follow “due process” to suspend the national body and he is against the government’s decision. Will challenge. , A tribunal.
The Sports Ministry on Sunday, three days after its election celebrations, allowed the WFI to rely on its own constitution to take some decisions including the announcement of national championships sub-15 and sub-20.
However, Sanjay said that his “autonomous” and “democratically elected” body could not have been suspended by the government without hearing WFI’s version of history.
“Despite all this, if we say that we have been suspended, we will not accept it. A democratically elected body did not get an opportunity to explain its position, which is contrary to the principle of natural justice that Everyone has rights under the Constitution of India.”
When asked what path to take for his organisation, he said, “WFI is an autonomous body and the government has not followed due process. Let us talk to the government and it (the government) has not lifted the suspension.” ” We are taking legal opinion and referring to tribunals.
Given that the WFI is opposing the suspension, it does not accept that an ad-hoc committee of three members constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will be in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the national sports body from Wednesday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to a ground in Haryana to meet Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia made it clear that former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh has been accused of leading the five-month-long protest accusing him of sexual harassment of women fighters. The trio. Fighting politics.
A person close to Sanjay said, “It is clear that they (Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik) have the support of Congress, Tool Group and Left parties. All three are playing for the power of these political parties.” Brij’s colleague. .Grace.
“Please, let’s find a fourth wrestler besides these three who opposes the WFI. These three don’t want junior luchadors to move up, they want to give up power to junior luchadors.
Ask if you are concerned about La Lucha Libre. “The road is free for you, but if you want to do politics then do it openly.”
Sanjay also criticized Bajrang for leaving his Padma Shri on the road after he decided to return it to the government.
“It may be a personal matter, but Khel Ratna has national sentiments attached to it, it is not for an individual but for the entire society. Padma Shri is not something that can be put on the way.” ,
Sakshi left the game after Sanjay was elected as the WFI chief while Bajrang decided to return his Padma Shri. Vinesh did the same and returned the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.
‘Let’s hope UWW lifts the ban on WFI.’
Sanjay also said that he had written a letter to United World Wrestling (UWW) requesting them to lift the ban imposed on WFI and he is expecting a favorable decision from the international parent body.
“We have written to UWW requesting them to lift the ban imposed on WFI, or the elections should be conducted democratically. These are festive days (in Europe), so they can delay it by a few days.”
He also said that the newly elected office-bearers have not violated any constitutional provision of the WFI by announcing the dates and seat of the Campeonatos Nationals Sub-15 and Sub-20 in Gonda (Brij Bhushan’s Lok Sabha electoral district) after the elections. 21 December. Election.
“When we decided to celebrate the national sub-15 and sub-20 there was complete chaos. There was an annual general meeting on the election day, we went to a hotel (in Delhi) and we took the decision.”
When asked why WFI’s recently elected general secretary Prem Chand Lochab did not participate in the decision making, he said: “Let’s vote for the general secretary.
