Amman [Jordan], March 24: Sanjay Kumar Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has been elected as a Bureau Member of United World Wrestling (UWW)-Asia. The election took place during the UWW-Asia General Assembly in Amman, Jordan, on Monday, according to a press release from United World Wrestling.
Singh secured an impressive 22 votes out of 38, reflecting strong support from the Asian wrestling community. His election to this esteemed position is a significant achievement for Indian wrestling, bolstering the country’s presence on the international wrestling stage.
Expressing his gratitude, Sanjay Kumar Singh stated, “I am deeply honoured to be elected as a Bureau Member of UWW-Asia. This is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the growth and recognition of Indian wrestling at the global level. I look forward to working closely with UWW-Asia to promote and develop the sport across the continent.”
The Executive Members of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) congratulated Singh and wished him success in his new role, anticipating that his election would open new opportunities for Indian wrestlers and contribute to the development of wrestling in Asia.
Earlier, on March 11, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India, restoring its recognition as a National Sports Federation (NSF) for wrestling. This came after a turbulent period where top Indian wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia led protests against the WFI and its former president, Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing him of sexual assault.
In August 2023, United World Wrestling (UWW) had banned the WFI for failing to conduct elections within the stipulated time frame, following the protests and allegations of harassment. The International Olympic Association (IOA) set up an ad-hoc committee to manage WFI’s affairs. Elections were held in December 2023, and Sanjay Kumar Singh was elected as WFI president. Despite initial protests against his election, Singh’s leadership is now being recognized on the global stage.