Ministry of Sports Suspends WFI Assistant Secretary, Cancels Activities

Tomar’s presence, according to the ministry, will be detrimental to the development of this high-priority discipline, according to a letter obtained by the PTI. The letter stated, The Ministry has taken note of the reports about how the WFI functions, including Shri Vinod Tomar’s role, and has reasons to believe that his continued presence will be detrimental to the development of this high-priority discipline.
Tomar, the wrestlers claimed, took bribes from athletes and was involved in financial corruption, allowing him to build property worth crores. According to sources, the ministry will announce the names of the members of its oversight committee on Sunday.
The ministry stated in a press release that it has communicated to the Wrestling Federation of India on Saturday that WFI will suspend all ongoing activities with immediate effect, unless the Oversight Committee is formally appointed and takes over the day-to-day operations of WFI, in light of the Government’s decision to appoint an Oversight Committee to investigate the various allegations raised by athletes against the Federation.
The document continued, The Sports Ministry has requested WFI to cancel the ongoing Ranking Tournament in Gonda, UP in light of the direction to suspend all activities immediately. In this regard, the ministry has additionally asked the WFI to reimburse participants for their entry fees. The ministry’s oversight committee will have the authority to make all decisions concerning Indian wrestling while also overseeing the federation’s day-to-day operations.
Earlier in the day, the WFI had rejected all the allegations, including that of sexual harassment against its president, and claimed that the wrestlers’ protest was motivated by a hidden agenda to dislodge the current management. In its response to the government’s notice, the WFI denied all of the charges, claiming that there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in the federation.
After the nation’s top wrestlers staged a dharna and accused the federation chief of sexually harassing female wrestlers and acting like a dictator, the ministry demanded an explanation from WFI. Before the wrestlers agreed to end their protest, the Indian Olympic Association formed its own seven-member committee, led by M C Mary Kom, to investigate Sharan’s charges.
source: India TodayEven as the wrestlers’ sit-in protest entered its third day, the IOA panel was formed. The panel also includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, in addition to legendary boxer Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt.
In addition to former shuttler and IOA joint secretary Alaknanda Ashok, who serves as vice chairperson, the IOA committee has two advocates: Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra.
The decision was made at an emergency Executive Council meeting of the IOA, which was attended by Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar, IOA president PT Usha, and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey.