CHENNAI: A deep urge to see his son do well in his final bout and make it to the India squad for the 2026 Asian Games landed a senior wrestling referee in a spot of bother. Much to his disappointment, not only did his son lose the final bout in the 130kg weight category but he also received a show-cause notice for conflict of interest.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) served the notice to Jaibir Singh on Wednesday. Jaibir is currently in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to officiate during the third Ranking Series scheduled to commence on Thursday. The federation has asked him to submit his explanation by or before June 10.
The selection trials were held in Lucknow on Sunday. Jaibir was one of the officials appointed by the WFI for the competition. "It has been alleged that during the final bout of the 130kg Greco-Roman style, you removed your referee kit and assumed the role of coach for your son while continuing to remain associated with the event in your capacity as an appointed referee. Such conduct constitutes a serious conflict of interest and is contrary to the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and professional ethics expected from a technical official of WFI," read the notice issued by the WFI.
"As a member of the Referee Commission and a technical official, you are expected to maintain complete neutrality and avoid any situation that may give rise to an actual or perceived conflict of interest. In circumstances where a participating wrestler is closely related to an appointed official, it is incumbent upon the official to disclose the conflict and recuse himself from duties that may compromise the integrity and fairness of the competition. Your alleged actions of simultaneously performing the roles of referee and coach during the same event have raised serious concerns regarding compliance with WFI rules and regulations," added the notice.
Jaibir confirmed that he stood near the coach's corner during his son's bout but claimed he did so after discharging his duties as the referee. "I changed my referee kit as I have to catch a train for New Delhi. The next day I was scheduled to fly out for Mongolia to officiate in the Ranking Series. On my way out, I saw my son taking on another wrestler in the final. Also there was no coach by Ronak's side, so I stood there and tried to cheer him up and give a few tips," the referee told this daily.
Admitting that he erred while doing so, Jaibir said he will submit his reply to the WFI on his return and hoped the federation will understand his situation. Much to his relief, the WFI through the notice permitted Jaibir to continue officiating in the Ranking Series.
Son brings some respite
Ronak might have missed the flight for Asiad but confirmed his place in the national squad for the U20 Asian Championships scheduled to be held in Pattaya, Thailand from June 27 to July 5. He competed in the selection trials held at SAI centre in Lucknow and won the final in the 125kg weight category of freestyle wrestling. Notably, Ronak competes in both styles (freestyle and Greco-Roman).
Wrestlers suspended for fake birth certificates
Meanwhile, the WFI also suspended five men wrestlers for four years for submitting fake birth certificates. Interestingly, one of them also won the selection trials held in Lucknow to select the teams for the U15 and U20 Asian Championships.
The notice said that the wrestlers claimed that they were born in Chandigarh and submitted birth certificates claiming they were issued by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. However, on verification, the WFI found out that the certificates were not genuine and their records are not traceable in office records. The name of the selected wrestler has been removed from the list, which was issued by the federation on Wednesday.
