Why is it in the News?

After suspending the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body on Sunday, the Sports Ministry have requested the Indian Olympic Association to constitute an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of the federation.

News Summary:

• Three days after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elected a new governing council to run the sport in India, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports directed the body to suspend all activities.
• It issued a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to create an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of the WFI.

About the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI):

• Established in 1958 and headquartered in New Delhi, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) serves as the governing body for wrestling.
• Mission: WFI plays a pivotal role in nurturing and promoting wrestling talent for prestigious events such as the Olympics, Asian Games, National Wrestling Championships, and World Wrestling Championships.
• Affiliation: As an integral part of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), WFI operates in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW).
  • The UWW, recognized as the international governing body for wrestling, holds responsibilities ranging from overseeing wrestling competitions at the World Championships to ensuring adherence to standards at the Olympic level.
• WFI's Contract System for Wrestlers: In a groundbreaking move in 2018, WFI introduced an innovative contract system designed to support wrestlers.
• This system categorizes wrestlers into four grades:
  • Grade A, providing financial assistance of 30 lakh rupees.
  • Grade B offers a financial support package of 20 lakh rupees.
  • Grade C, extending support amounting to 10 lakh rupees.
  • Grade D provides a support package of 5 lakh rupees.
• To ensure relevance and fairness, the contracts undergo a thorough review on an annual basis, reflecting WFI's commitment to the ongoing development and support of wrestling talent.

About Indian Olympic Association (IOA):

• The Indian Olympic Association acts as the governing body overseeing the Olympic Movement and the Commonwealth Games within India.
• It holds affiliation with prominent international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
• In fulfilling its role, the IOA manages key aspects of sports governance and prioritizes the welfare of athletes across the nation.
• Responsibilities: As a recognized entity by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the IOA undertakes the crucial responsibility of coordinating the representation of athletes and teams in major international multi-sport events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and others sanctioned by the IOC, CGF, OCA, and ANOC.
• Historical Perspective: Established in 1927 with Sir Dorabji Tata serving as the Founding President and Dr. A.G. Noehren as the Secretary-General, the IOA operates as a Non-Profit Organization under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• This history underscores its enduring commitment to the promotion of sports.
• Governance Structure: Currently governed by a 32-member Executive Council, the IOA is led by a President.
• Elections for the Executive Council occur once every four years, emphasizing democratic and periodic leadership changes within the organization.