The Wrestling Federation of India, now recognised by the world body (UWW), has dug its heels in and is going ahead with its business, starting with holding trials to select the Indian teams for the Asian Wrestling Championship and the Asian qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. UWW recognition means that WFI will be the body that can send entries to international events.
However, the ad hoc body, formed by the Indian Olympic Association to run the sport after WFI’s recognition was suspended by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has also announced trials in Patiala.
In a circular issued by WFI on Saturday evening, it said it will hold the trials at the IG Stadium in New Delhi on March 10 and 11. The selections are for two events slated to be held in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan, in April. The Asian championships will be held from April 11 to 16 and the Olympic qualifiers at the same venue from April 19 to 21.
WFI has stated that the wrestlers who have been up in arms against the federation can compete in the trials, which means 2016 Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, Tokyo 2020 medalist Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat will need to take a call. The official intimation of the trial will be conveyed to the wrestlers as well by Monday.
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The trials are important in the Olympic year, with too much time having been wasted on politics. It is well known that the WFI elections were held as per directives of the Supreme Court of India. Even the UWW observer had come for it, though wrestlers like Sakashi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat were unhappy that Sanjay Singh was elected. He is supposed to be “close” to outgoing WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The UWW, while recognising the WFI had said the national sports federation in India has to hold elections to the Athletes’ Commission. The latest one hears is that it will be done by including the protesting wrestlers in the process. These elections will most probably be held next month. For the record, WFI has been given time till July to hold these elections.
To be sure, plenty of time has been lost due to the politics around the sport during the past year. But now the focus met return to the sport. It cannot be forgotten that Indian wrestlers did not do as well as expected at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year, with one silver and five bronze medals.
At the recent Nationals, conducted by the ad hoc body in Jaipur, interesting results were thrown up. Vinesh Phogat, returning from a surgery and intense rehab won gold in the 55kg division. Anshu Malik, returning to competition mode after a long break, won gold in the 59kg section with a win over the well-known Sarita Mor.
There will, hopefully, be no time lost from now on in matters relating to wrestling other than action on the mat. India cannot afford to waste any more time on distractions away from the mat.
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