UWW, the world governing body for wrestling, has threatened to suspend India if the political interference in the affairs of the national federation does not end soon with president Nenad Lalovic categorically saying that WFI's autonomy must be upheld.
The WFI was suspended by Sports Ministry, two days after the federation conducted its election in December 2023.
Making the ministry-suspension its base, wrestler Satyawart Kadian had filed a petition in a Delhi court questioning WFI's authority to select Indian teams.
The Indian teams almost missed out on competing in the World Championship due to the same.
The ministry after clearing the team had said that it will review the suspension. Even the court had asked the ministry to clear its stand on the suspension.
The court had also re-instated ad-hoc panel but the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) refused to follow the order, saying it was not required.
Even the government had invited WFI president Sanjay Singh to attend a few meetings as authorised representative of the federation.
On Thursday, UWW president Nenad Lalovic wrote to Sanjay Sngh that it accepts WFI as the "only interlocutor for us on all matters concerning the sport of wrestling in India and its representation on the international level."
"Second, UWW does not accept any interference by the public and political authorities with the internal affairs of our member federations, except for what concerns the control of the use of public grants to the national federations.
"This principle of autonomy and independence is provided by article 6.3 of the UWW Constitution as well as the Olympic Charter, and shall be strictly followed by all our member federations.
"Finally, and as also mentioned in previous correspondences, suspension measures will be considered should the autonomy of your federation not be upheld fully and for the long term," Lalovic stated.
If UWW suspends India for political interference then the country's wrestlers will not be allowed to compete in future international competitions.
"See, the national camps are already on hold due to suspension. There is no ground to keep suspension. If the ministry does not end suspension and resultantly WFI is banned by UWW, it will be a massive loss for the sport and the country's wrestlers," said a WFI source.
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