The Sports Ministry has officially lifted the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), bringing relief to Indian wrestlers and paving the way for resumption of activities, including the much-awaited selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman, Jordan. The suspension, imposed on December 24, 2023, was a result of governance lapses and procedural issues linked to the newly elected WFI body under the leadership of Sanjay Singh. The suspension came just three days after the Sanjay Singh-led faction was elected on December 21. The WFI’s controversial decision to conduct the Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda — a known stronghold of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh — drew the ministry's ire. This decision was particularly contentious as Brij Bhushan, a former BJP MP, faced serious allegations of sexual harassment, prompting the government to intervene. In its official statement, the Sports Ministry explained that the WFI had since taken corrective measures to comply with governance standards. "In the larger interest of the sport and the athletes, the ministry has decided to lift the suspension," the order stated.
 

WFI president Sanjay Singh expressed his gratitude to the government, emphasizing the importance of the decision for the sport and its athletes. "I thank the government for taking this step. It will allow us to function smoothly. It was needed for the sake of the sport. The athletes were suffering for lack of competitions," Singh told PTI. While lifting the suspension, the ministry has directed the WFI to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability. The WFI must maintain a balanced power structure among elected officials and remain disassociated from suspended or terminated members. Additionally, the newly elected executive committee (EC) of the WFI is required to submit an official undertaking within four weeks, pledging to follow these conditions. The ministry also warned that any violation of these directives would result in legal consequences, including actions under the Sports Code. The WFI has also been instructed to ensure that all international team selections are conducted in a "free, fair, and transparent manner," as per the existing Sports Code and UWW (United World Wrestling) guidelines. Responding to these conditions, Sanjay Singh assured that the WFI would comply with all requirements. "We have already shifted to a new office, and soon we will call for an EC meeting and issue a circular for the selection trials. We have no issues in following these instructions," he said.
 

The Asian Wrestling Championship, scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan from March 25, now offers Indian wrestlers an opportunity to regain their competitive momentum after missing several key international events. Due to the WFI’s suspension, Indian wrestlers were unable to participate in Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania, significantly affecting their preparations. The suspension and related legal disputes stemmed from protests led by prominent Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Satyawart Kadian. These athletes had challenged the WFI's authority to select national teams during its suspension period, arguing that the court had directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to restore an ad-hoc panel to oversee WFI operations. However, the IOA refused to comply, citing that the global wrestling body, UWW, only recognizes the WFI as the official authority to handle entries and manage team selections. In response to the IOA's stance, the UWW warned that any interference in WFI governance could result in another suspension of the wrestling federation. The potential risk of international sanctions heightened pressure on Indian authorities to resolve the internal disputes swiftly.
 

The lifting of the suspension has been welcomed by athletes, coaches, and officials alike. A prominent coach from a leading wrestling academy in Haryana expressed relief at the decision. "We are so relieved that this suspension has been lifted. There was a complete lull in wrestling activities, and young wrestlers were suffering for no fault of theirs. They were missing tournaments, and there was no national camp. The suspension should have been lifted long back," the coach remarked. With the suspension now revoked, the focus shifts to ensuring that Indian wrestlers receive adequate preparation opportunities for upcoming competitions. The resumption of trials will play a crucial role in determining the team that will represent India at the prestigious Asian Wrestling Championship in Amman. The Sports Ministry’s decision is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing Indian wrestling, restoring confidence in the sport's administration, and providing athletes the opportunity to excel on the global stage once again.