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In a recent development, United World Wrestling (UWW) has issued a stern warning to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), threatening to impose a ban on Indian wrestlers from participating in the final Olympic Qualifiers and potentially the Paris Olympics. This warning comes amidst a governance dispute between WFI and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), with the possibility of an ad-hoc committee being reinstated to oversee WFI affairs.
UWW President Nenad Lalovic reiterated UWW's stance against third-party interference in national wrestling federations, emphasizing the autonomy and independence of such organizations as per UWW statutes and the Olympic Charter. Lalovic's communication, conveyed via email to WFI, highlighted the serious ramifications of allowing external entities to manage the affairs of WFI, warning of dire consequences should an ad-hoc committee be appointed.
The threat of suspension not only casts a shadow over WFI but also jeopardizes the aspirations of Indian wrestlers aiming for qualification in the Paris Games. With the final Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for the upcoming month, any disruption in WFI's governance could impede the preparation and participation of Indian wrestlers in crucial qualifying events.
The situation has further escalated with ongoing court cases and appeals initiated by elite wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, challenging the legality of WFI's elections. The dissolution of the ad-hoc committee by IOA in March, citing a lack of necessity, has added fuel to the governance dispute.
UWW's ultimatum underscores the gravity of the governance issue, urging swift resolution to avoid detrimental repercussions for Indian wrestling on the international stage. Furthermore, the communication emphasizes the potential scrutiny from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the governance crisis within WFI, signaling the urgency for a resolution to maintain India's participation in the upcoming Olympic events.
As the deadline looms, the ball is now in the court of the relevant stakeholders to address the governance dispute effectively, ensuring the smooth functioning of WFI and safeguarding the interests of Indian wrestlers aiming for Olympic glory.
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