Courtesy-The Indian Express
Despite the Grappling Federation of India’s (GFI) claim that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is attempting to monopolize the popularity of grappling as a sport in the nation, the WFI has stated that all linked forms of wrestling should ideally go under its authority.
Meanwhile, wrestling’s governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), expressed hope that “both organizations would be able to find a path together to resolve this conflict.” The country’s grappling federation, which has been associated with UWW for the past six years, sees the international body’s letter to the WFI earlier this month as confirmation for their efforts.
Considering the sport’s rapid growth and popularity, UWW made the proper decision in reinstating GFI as India’s exclusive governing organization for grappling. GFI has had 12 National Championships, many professional championships, and the sport has also been featured in the National School Games and the All India University Games.
The GFI claims that the WFI has been attempting to take over the operation of the grappling federation, first by establishing a parallel administrative body and more recently, by proposing that the GFI be dissolved.
The UWW solicited interest in establishing a grappling federation in India in 2015, which the GFI took up. The WFI was initially uninterested in the sport, believing it to be only an associate sport. Since then, grappling has grown in popularity in the country, with about 1000 students competing in each National Games, and more than 20 states and union territories connected with the GFI.
“Seeing this popularity, the WFI set up a new body, comprising members of the GFI who had been previously suspended for misdemeanors, to take over the running of grappling in the country,” said GFI joint secretary, Ms. Supriya Samanta. Meanwhile, the WFI, although stating that it will obey the UWW’s instructions, believes that it is ideal for “accountability” if grappling in India is likewise governed by the wrestling authority.