New Delhi, Dec 22: Hardly 24 hours have passed since the formation of the new wrestling federation and trouble has started brewing within the sports body with Secretary General Prem Chand Lochab demanding postponement of the junior Nationals, saying the President did not follow rules while announcing the dates for the competition.
The new body under President Sanjay Singh had on Friday announced that U15 and U20 nationals will be held from December 28-30 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
The decision was taken by the newly-elected members, hours after their election to various posts.
Former RSPB Secretary Lochab, who won from the rival Anita Sheoran-panel, had not attended the meeting and claimed that all the decisions should come through the WFI secretary general.
Singh maintained that the decision was taken keeping in mind the benefits and interest of junior wrestlers and that he did not flout any rule since the by-laws of the WFI Constitution allow him to take decision and the secretary general is bound to follow.
On Friday Lochab wrote to Singh that a few states have objected to rescheduling and relocating age group and junior Nationals.
Lochab wrote, “In this regard, no regular meeting of the Executive Committee of WFI as per its Constitution has been conducted after the elections for newly elected Executive Council held on 21-12-2023.”
“In view of the above, it is felt that the grievances of state federations are genuine and may be considered and the U20 and U15 National Wrestling Championships 2023 scheduled at Nandini Nagar, Gonda from December 28-30 may be postponed.” A copy of the letter has also been marked to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Lochab also did not like the fact that the announcement of the Nationals was made without consulting him since the WFI Constitution mandates the secretary general to be part of decision making.
“Decisions with regard to conduct of sports tournaments and all communications pertaining to functions of WFI should be taken in accordance with the Constitution/By-laws of WFI and should be done through Secretary General as mandated in Constitution of WFI,” he wrote. (PTI)
