New Delhi, March 11: After the Union Sports Ministry revoked the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India ((WFI), the national wrestling body chief Sanjay Singh expressed delight on the decision and announced that the WFI will conduct wrestling trials on March 15 in New Delhi.

“Such a good news for all the wrestling lovers. We will be holding wrestling trials on March 15 in Delhi,” Sanjay Singh told media.

The Ministry lifted its suspension on the WFI on Tuesday, allowing the organisation to hold domestic tournaments and selection of national teams for international tournaments.

“In view of the findings of the Spot Verification Committee, the compliance measures undertaken by the WFI, and in the larger interest of Indian sports and athletes, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports hereby revokes the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued vide order of even number dated 24.12.2023 and restores its D recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for wrestling with immediate effect…,” the ministry letter, signed by Director (Sports) Bangararaju V.V.K.K. Thatavarthi, read.

Sports ministry suspended the Sanjay Singh-led new WFI body three days after the elections over the announcement to hold U15 and U20 nationals and has asked IOA to establish a temporary panel to oversee the operations of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

On December 21, 2023, the day Singh assumed the role of WFI president, he declared that national trials for wrestling in the U-15 and U-20 categories would be conducted in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda.

The suspension led to the formation of the Ad Hoc committee constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), to oversee the day-to-day operations of the WFI.

The ministry in its letter has also mentioned the directions to run the federations.

“The WFI must revert the amendments carried out during the suspension period and have a balance of power among the designated office bearers and provide checks and balance in the decision-making process and this process should be completed in 4 weeks.

“Any person who is not elected as an office bearer, as also the suspended/terminated salaried officials of the WFI must remain completely disassociated from the Federation and its affiliate units. The EC of WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks. Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including the action under the Sports Code.

“The WFI must ensure that selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard along with regulations issued from time to time by the UWW,” the letter read.

New Delhi, March 10: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has asked officials at the Indian Premier League to ban all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertisements from upcoming sports events.

Notably, the letter by Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services urges Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairperson, IPL, to regulate tobacco and alcohol advertisements including surrogate advertisements and sales during the upcoming cricket season, slated to begin on March 22.

The ban extends both to stadium premises as well as a live telecast on television.

“The IPL being India’s most viewed sports event, direct or indirect promotion of tobacco/alcohol on any platform linked to sports sends a contradictory message to the public about health and fitness,” said Goel, in the letter, dated March 5.

He cited that tobacco and alcohol are significantly responsible for the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the country. “Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc. account for more than 70 per cent of deaths annually.

Tobacco and alcohol use are key risk factors for NCDs. “India ranks second in tobacco-related deaths worldwide; with nearly 14 lakh annual deaths while alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians,” the health ministry official said.

The letter, also marked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, asked IPL officials to “strictly implement” the regulations to ban all forms of tobacco/alcohol advertising, including surrogate advertisements, “within the stadium premises where the games and related IPL games/events are held as well as during telecast sessions on national television”.

The sale of tobacco or alcohol products must also be regulated “in all affiliated events and sports facilities”.

The letter also sought to “discourage the promotion of sportspersons (including commentators) who directly or indirectly endorse products directly or indirectly linked to alcohol or tobacco”.

The letter stated that “cricket players are role models for the youngsters” and that promoting tobacco or alcohol products by them can have a poor impact on youngsters’ minds.

Instead, they should promote “a healthy, active lifestyle”. Goel asked IPL to share a “social and moral obligation to promote public health and support health initiatives of the government”.

Mumbai, March 10: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution congratulating the Indian cricket team for winning the Champions Trophy.

The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said India has become the only country to have won the Champions Trophy three times. “This victory is an unforgettable gift that our team has given to countless Indian cricket fans. During this entire tournament, a team spirit was seen in the Indian team. It is worth seeing,” he said.

“Under the leadership of Captain Rohit Sharma, the Indian team worked very hard. In the last match, Captain Rohit Sharma played very well. The way he changed his usual style and hit the pitch in a medium-fast, medium-slow manner and added 76 runs. These 76 runs were decisive. Therefore, I congratulate him wholeheartedly,” reads the resolution.

“The Champions Trophy has been continuously giving us a hard time. India has become the only country to win both the ICC trophies twice in a row, last year’s T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy,” reads the resolution.

“Actually, in the initial stages of this Champions Trophy, many critics were talking about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. There was a discussion about whether they are in form or not. But both of them have shown here that form is temporary, class is permanent,” said the Chief Minister. “Rohit Sharma’s classy batting, after Virat Kohli’s performance in the previous match. He showed that he is an experienced but young type of player,” Fadnavis said.

“I would like to especially praise Varun Chakravarti. He played cricket in his school days but then he became an architect. He broke off his relationship with cricket and worked as an architect. But cricket was in his blood. He turned to cricket again. Today, everyone was destroyed by his spin. He showed what he is,” he said while showering praise over Varun Chakravarti. “Varun Chakravarti and Kuldeep Yadav took important wickets at important moments,” said the chief minister.

“We definitely want to welcome this champion team. Today, we will pass a resolution of congratulations on behalf of the House. This resolution of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly should be sent to every member of the team in the form of a letter of commendation,” suggested the CM.

After the Chief Minister moved the resolution, Speaker Rahul Narwekar asked the members to pass it. Thereafter, members from the treasury and opposition benches unanimously passed the resolution.