Sports Ministry asks IOA to form Ad-hoc panel for elections

The sports ministry on Monday stalled the scheduled May 7 elections of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc committee to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation and also manage the sports body.

The ministry's decision came after wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, resumed their sit-in protest here on Sunday and demanded disclosure of the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Brij Bhushan has already served as WFI chief for 12 years, with three terms of four years. He is ineligible to apply for the post again under the Sports Code. "Considering the current situation, it is expedient that ...fresh elections to the EC should be conducted under a neutral body/returning officer," a ministry letter to IOA chief PT Usha said.