WFI Seeks Revocation of Suspension Through Dialogue With Sports Ministry Instead of Legal Route

The WFI opted to find a way to revoke their suspension through dialogue with the Sports Ministry, instead of exploring legal options. The decision was taken by the Sanjay Singh-led WFI during the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

The federation led by recently elected Singh had earlier suggested that they would knock on the doors of the judiciary to overturn the suspension they were handed by the ministry only a couple of days after the results of the WFI polls came out, but decided to alter their approach in the matter at the convention attended by 12 elected members, save for Secretary-General Prem Chand Lochab and Senior Vice President Devender Kadian skipped the meeting.

“We do not want a clash with the government. We are not moving court as of today. We will seek time from the ministry and a delegation will try and speak with the government,” Sanjay Singh said following the conclusion of the EC meeting.

He was asked what the course of action would be for the suspended federation if the ministry fails to hear them out, Singh said they will attempt to talk with the ministry before moving court to gain some clarity over the process to revoke the suspension.

“First we have to try. We want to know what we need to do to get the suspension lifted. Like UWW had set certain conditions when it had suspended. The ground was not holding elections. The government has suspended us but there is no clarity on how it will be lifted,” he said.

Sanjay Singh also mentioned that state associations have agreed to send teams for the Nationals, which will be organised by the WFI in Pune between January 29-31, instead of the one which the ad-hoc panel has planned to organise in Jaipur from the 3rd of February.

“The WFI Constitution mandates the Federation to host the Nationals and not any ad-hoc panel. A total of 25 state associations have already written to the ministry and the UWW that it will send teams for Nationals to be conducted by WFI,” Singh added.

The ad-hoc panel has announced that it will conduct senior Nationals from February 3 in Jaipur and the age group championships in Gwalior.