Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday confirmed that Indian wrestlers will participate in the Senior World Wrestling Championship in Tirana, Albania, starting October 28. The announcement follows ongoing court cases regarding the governance of wrestling in India.
Mandaviya assured wrestlers, “Court proceedings will continue, but our wrestlers should compete and bring medals for India. If any federation performs well, the government supports it, and our athletes should perform their best.” WFI President Sanjay Singh added that the Sports Ministry advised prioritizing the athletes and the country despite current challenges.
Indian wrestlers expressed relief, emphasizing the importance of participating in the prestigious championship. The World Wrestling Championship, which draws top global talent, provides a significant platform for Indian wrestlers to showcase their skills.
Previously, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had withdrawn from the championship, citing interference from the Sports Ministry in its autonomy. WFI wrote to United World Wrestling (UWW), detailing issues with MYAS’s directive to appoint an Ad-Hoc Committee to manage WFI affairs, which has led to legal disputes and disrupted selection trials for the championship. WFI also requested UWW to take action under Article 6.3, citing concerns over compromised autonomy.
The championship in Tirana is set to begin on October 28, with Indian wrestlers now preparing to compete on the international stage.