Indian wrestlers will not be able to compete under the Indian flag at the upcoming World Championships | Read Why

• The global wrestling body, United World of Wrestling (UWW), has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) due to its failure to conduct timely elections and a series of controversies
• As a result of the suspension, Indian wrestlers will not be able to compete under the Indian flag at the upcoming World Championships. They will have to participate as 'neutral athletes'
• The WFI was supposed to hold elections in June 2023, but protests and internal issues hindered the process

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has faced the wrath of the global wrestling community as it gets suspended by the United World of Wrestling (UWW) due to its inability to conduct timely elections. The suspension comes after a series of controversies surrounding the WFI, including allegations of sexual harassment against its former president.

The suspension has far-reaching consequences, as Indian wrestlers are now barred from competing under the Indian flag at the upcoming World Championships. Instead, they will have to participate as 'neutral athletes'.

The WFI was originally scheduled to hold elections in June 2023. However, protests and internal issues kept obstructing the process. Consequently, the ad-hoc panel appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) failed to meet the 45-day deadline set by UWW for conducting the elections.

UWW's warning in April about potential suspension came true, as the organization expressed its displeasure over the delays in the election process. The suspension decision was communicated to the ad-hoc panel by UWW recently.

The issue of WFI elections had already faced a setback when the Sports Ministry declared the initial election process as null and void. The repeated delays and legal disputes from various state bodies further complicated the situation.

The Indian wrestling community now faces a challenging period as it navigates through this suspension and its consequences, ultimately impacting the representation and participation of Indian wrestlers on the global stage.