Trouble Brews in New WFI; Secretary Lochab Accuses President of Not Following Rules

It has only been 24 hours since the formation of the new wrestling federation, but trouble has already started brewing.

Secretary General of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Prem Chand Lochab is demanding that the junior Nationals be postponed. He claimed that the President Sanjay Singh did not follow the rules when announcing the dates for the competition.

The new administration led by President Sanjay Singh announced that the U15 and U20 nationals will take place in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda from December 28-30.

The decision was made by the newly-elected members soon after there appointment. Former RSPB Secretary Lochab, who won against the rival Anita Sheoran panel, did not attend the meeting. He claimed that all decisions should come through the WFI Secretary General.

NO VIOLATION OF RULES, SAYS WFI PREZ

Sanjay Singh claimed that the decision was made with the welfare and interests of junior wrestlers in mind. He also stated that he did not violate any rules, as the by-laws of the WFI Constitution permit him to make decisions and the Secretary General is obligated to abide by them.

LOCHAB WRITES TO SINGH, IOA

On Friday Lochab wrote to Sanjay Singh that a few states have objected to rescheduling and relocating age group and junior Nationals.

Lochab wrote, “In this regard, no regular meeting of the Executive Committee of WFI as per its Constitution has been conducted after the elections for newly elected Executive Council held on 21-12-2023.”

“In view of the above, it is felt that the grievances of state federations are genuine and may be considered and the U20 and U15 National Wrestling Championships 2023 scheduled at Nandini Nagar, Gonda from December 28-30 may be postponed.”

A copy of the letter has also been marked to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Lochab also did not like the fact that the announcement of the Nationals was made without consulting him since the WFI Constitution mandates the secretary general to be part of decision making.

“Decisions with regard to conduct of sports tournaments and all communications pertaining to functions of WFI should be taken in accordance with the Constitution/By-laws of WFI and should be done through Secretary General as mandated in Constitution of WFI,” he wrote. In his defence Sanjay Singh told .

(with PTI inputs)