The Punjab and Haryana High Court has halted the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, which were scheduled to take place on Saturday. The decision came after the Haryana Wrestling Association (HWA) filed a petition challenging the participation of the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association in the elections.
According to HWA’s lawyer, Ravinder Malik, the HWA is a registered society in the state and affiliated with the WFI. As per the WFI’s rules and constitution, any registered body can send two representatives to vote in the elections. However, the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association, claiming affiliation with both the WFI and the Haryana Olympic Association, contested the HWA’s eligibility to participate in the election process.
The returning officer sided with the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association, stating that they fulfill the conditions for affiliation. To challenge this decision, the HWA approached the High Court, arguing that the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association lacks affiliation with the Haryana Olympic Association, and therefore should not be allowed to participate in the poll.
The court noted the HWA’s concerns and expressed doubt about the eligibility of the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association to cast votes, as it could potentially prejudice the election process. In light of this, Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj of the High Court stayed the WFI elections until further notice.
This decision has put a halt to the much-anticipated elections and has raised questions about the eligibility criteria for participating in the WFI elections. The court’s intervention ensures a fair and transparent election process, as it seeks to address the dispute regarding the affiliation of the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association. The final decision will have significant implications for the future of wrestling in India.
The WFI elections are expected to resume once the court resolves these issues and determines the eligibility of the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association. All stakeholders will closely follow further developments and hope for a resolution that upholds the integrity of the election process and the sport itself.
