Gauhati High Court stays Wrestling Federation of India elections

Guwahati: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, delayed several times, were stalled yet again with the Gauhati High Court on Sunday staying the July 11 polls on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association.

The Assam Wrestling Association, in its petition filed against the WFI, IOA ad-hoc panel and the Sports Ministry, said that though it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI, it was not granted one.

The state unit claimed that the then WFI Executive Committee had made recommendation for its affiliation at the Federations’ General Council in Gonda, on November 15, 2014 but it was denied recognition.

The petitioner contended that unless their body is affiliated to the WFI, and they can nominate their representative to the electoral college, the election process should be stalled.

The court directed the respondents — WFI ad-hoc body and the Sports Ministry — that till the next date is fixed for hearing they should not proceed with the elections of the Executive Committee of the WFI.

The court fixed July 17 as the next date for hearing.