WFI News Highlights: ‘Will talk to PM Modi regarding suspension’, says chief Sanjay Singh

Sanjay Singh told PTI, “We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options.”

WFI's new chief Sanjay Singh on suspension of the body said, “When New Federation was formed, he (Brijbhushan Singh) was sent off and today he told that he has retired from wrestling, Sakshee Malikkh has also retired, both of them have retired, so now both should let the federation run peacefully. He and I are from different community then how can we be relatives? When he was the president of the federation, I was joint secretary. Yes there was a bond and friendship at that time between us.”

Congress leader Udit Raj on suspension of WFI: “Medal surrendered by Shakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia has mounted pressure on the Sports Ministry to suspend the recently held WFI election, its welcome but justice has not meted out to the victims.”

Sanjay Singh said that they are trying to get the suspension lifted, and told PTI, “We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options.”

After WFI was suspended by the Centre, former federation president Brij Bhushan said, "Sanjay Singh is not my relative...The announcement to hold U-15 and U-20 nationals in Nandini Nagar was to ensure sports events should resume..."

No award is bigger than the honour of our sisters and daughters. We, first need to get justice: Bajrang Punia.

"I served wrestling for 12 years, good or bad only time will tell. I have taken retirement from wrestling. I am breaking my relationship with the sport. Now whatever decision has to be taken, whether to liaise with he government or handling the legal processes, those decisions will be taken by the elected members now. The Lok Sabha elections are round the corner and I have to move ahead," former WFI chief Brij Bhushan said

WFI News LIVE: Wrestler Sakshi Malik said on Sunday that their fight is "not against the government" and mentioned that she has not received anything in writing about the suspension of the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Following renewed protests by prominent wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia against the appointment of an ally of the removed WFI president as the new head, the Union Sports Ministry made a significant move by suspending the national wrestling federation and its officials.

I will be away from the politics of this sport: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after his meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda

The suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India by the Union sports ministry was a "farce", the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party said on Sunday.

It said by taking such a decision the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party cannot absolve itself from the accusation of not helping women wrestlers.

"WFI elections were held on SC directions. Further, Sanjay Singh is not my relative. To resume the sports activities and not waste a year of young wrestlers, it was decided to conduct the games in Nandini Nagar. Now, I do not have anything to do with wrestling and have to look into the Lok Sabha polls that are approaching. Whatever decision has to be taken will be taken by the new federation," says former WFI chief & BJP leader Brij Bhushan after the Sports ministry suspended the newly-elected WFI till further notice.

A hoarding was put up in Varanasi to welcome WFI new chief Sanjay Singh

Former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday said whatever happens to the federation now is not his concern anymore.

“I have seen the report yet, and I will issue a remark only after consulting my team," says wrestler Sakshi Malik in response to a media query on Sports ministry suspending Wrestling Federation of India till further notice.

The Sports ministry also said the new body was working under the "complete control of former (WFI) office-bearers", which was not in conformity with the National Sports Code.

"The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. The Federation stands suspended till further orders. WFI will not be taking care of day to day activities of wrestling. They need to follow the due process and the rules," a sports ministry official told PTI.

• January 18: Wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, started a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation. Brij Bhushan denies the allegations.

• January 19: Babita Phogat joins the protest, and a group of wrestlers meets Sports minister Anurag Thakur, but without resolution.

• January 20: Wrestlers submit a complaint to IOA president PT Usha, demanding Brij Bhushan's resignation. IOA forms a seven-member inquiry committee.

• January 21: Protest ends after the sports minister assures an oversight committee will investigate, and Brij Bhushan steps down during the inquiry.

• January 23: Oversight committee, led by former boxer Mary Kom, is formed with a four-week mandate.

• February 23: Oversight committee's tenure extended by two weeks.

• April 12: Wrestlers protest sports ministry's delay in releasing oversight committee's findings.

• April 16: WFI announces May 7 election date after submitting the oversight committee's report, not made public.

• April 23: Wrestlers resume protest at Jantar Mantar.

• April 24: Wrestlers move Supreme Court seeking FIR against Singh. Sports ministry stalls May 7 elections, urges IOA to form an ad-hoc committee.

• April 25: Supreme Court issues notice to Delhi Police on harassment allegations.

• April 27: IOA forms a three-member ad-hoc committee.

• April 28: Delhi Police register two FIRs against Singh.

• May 3: PT Usha meets protesters, scuffle with Delhi police occurs.

• May 5: Delhi police record statements of complainants.

• May 7: Farmers join wrestlers' protest.

• May 10: Wrestlers challenge Singh to a NARCO test.

• May 11: Delhi police record Singh's statement.

• May 28: Wrestlers detained as they march towards the new Parliament building. IOC and UWW condemn the police's actions.

• June 7: Wrestlers halt protest after the sports minister assures a police investigation.

• June 13: WFI elections scheduled for July 6.

• June 21: IOA's ad-hoc committee reschedules WFI elections to July 11 after hearings from disaffiliated state units.

• June 25: Gauhati High Court stays WFI elections scheduled for July 11.

• July 18: Delhi Court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan Singh.

• July 20: WFI elections rescheduled for August 12.

• August 11: Punjab and Haryana High Courts stay WFI elections scheduled for August 12.

• August 23: UWW suspends WFI for not conducting timely elections.

• December 5: WFI schedules elections for December 21.

• December 21: Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan's loyalist, elected as new WFI chief.

BJP chief JP Nadda calls former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for a meeting, reported news agency PTI, citing sources.