'We do not recognise ad-hoc panel and ministry suspension'

Sanjay Singh, the President of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), stated on Monday that the organisation plans to host the national championships. Singh emphasised that neither the recent suspension by the Sports Ministry nor the formation of an ad-hoc panel deterred their intentions, news agency PTI reported.

The Sports Ministry took action to suspend the WFI on December 24, just three days after its elections, citing multiple rule violations. Following this, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) constituted a three-member committee, chaired by Bhupender Singh Bajwa. The committee also includes former hockey player M M Somaya and former badminton player Manjusha Kanwar.

The newly-formed ad-hoc panel revealed plans to conduct the senior national championships in Jaipur from February 2-5. However, Sanjay Singh remained defiant against this decision. "Our election process was democratic, and the Returning Officer validated it. We do not acknowledge this ad-hoc panel," Sanjay told PTI.