Wrestlers’ protest: Global governing body condemns detention, threatens suspension of federation

United World Wrestling, the global governing body of the sport, issued a statement on Tuesday reminding the ad hoc committee running the federation in India to hold elections within the stipulated deadline or face suspension.

Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat have been at the centre of the protests against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment.

They were detained by the police on Sunday while they were trying to march to the new Parliament building in New Delhi to demand Singh’s arrest. The wrestling body chief, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party MP has been accused of sexually harassing seven women players, including a minor.

The Indian Olympic Association had formed an ad-hoc committee to run the Wrestling Federation of India, and also asked it to conduct conducting fresh elections.

“UWW will request further information about the next elective general assembly from the IOA and Ad-hoc Committee of the WFI,” the statement said. “The 45-day deadline that was initially set to hold this elective assembly shall be respected. Failing to do so may lead UWW to suspend the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete under a neutral flag.”

The statement condemned the...

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