The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Varanasi, India): Narsingh Pancham Yadav, a renowned former wrestler and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has been elected as the chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) Athletes’ Commission. This election took place in Varanasi, where Yadav and six others were chosen to lead the commission, which was a requirement set by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body.
The election process involved eight candidates vying for seven spots within the commission. Following a ballot paper election, the seven members selected Narsingh Yadav as their chairman. This leadership role marks a significant comeback for Yadav, who had been embroiled in controversy prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics due to a doping scandal, which he claimed was an act of sabotage. His four-year ban from the sport ended in July 2020.
The other members elected to the commission include Sahil from Delhi, Smitha AS from Kerala, Bharti Bhaghei from Uttar Pradesh, Khushboo S. Pawar from Gujarat, Nikki from Haryana, and Sweta Dubey from Bengal.
The establishment of this commission is part of WFI’s compliance with UWW’s conditions for lifting the federation’s suspension, which was initially imposed due to governance issues and allegations of misconduct by its former president. The UWW required the formation of the commission to address and resolve grievances within the wrestling community effectively.
This new commission is expected to play a crucial role in representing athletes’ interests and ensuring fair governance within India’s wrestling federation, as it navigates past controversies and looks towards a more transparent and accountable administration.
