No Indian Flags for indian Wrestlers as International Wrestling Body Suspends WFI

Indian wrestlers are set to participate in the upcoming World Championships, commencing on September 16, donning the status of "neutral athletes." This development follows the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the international wrestling body.

The decision to compete under a neutral flag constitutes a significant setback for the sport within the country. The shift from representing India directly is a noteworthy loss for the nation's wrestling community as a whole.

The WFI has been marred by allegations of sexual harassment involving its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and prolonged protests by some of India's top wrestlers. These controversies have cast a shadow on the organization's functioning over the past months.

Attempting to address the situation, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established an ad hoc committee in April to oversee the WFI's affairs, with the directive to hold fresh elections within 45 days. However, this deadline has been deferred multiple times.

In May, the United World Wrestling (UWW) expressed deep concern over the state of affairs in India and warned of potential suspension if the stipulated election deadline was not met. Failure to comply could result in the federation's suspension, necessitating athletes to participate under a neutral banner.

Earlier this year, UWW had intervened by relocating the Asian Championship, originally scheduled in New Delhi, due to the prevailing circumstances. "If this isn't done, UWW might suspend the federation, which would make the athletes compete under a neutral flag," the UWW stated in a released statement in May.

As the World Championships approach, the situation has placed Indian wrestlers in an unprecedented scenario, highlighting the significance of resolving the governance issues within the WFI to ensure their full participation on the international stage.