Vinesh Phogat
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
The ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association has made up its mind to field only one team in the Asian Games and World Championships to be held in September this year. A single trial will be held for both the events next month. The winners of the trials will get a chance to play in the Olympic Qualifiers, World Championships and Asian Games. However, it will be up to the wrestler who wins the trials whether he wants to compete in both the events or not. If the winner does not want to play in both, the runner-up of the trial will get a chance to play in the other event.
It was decided to send a separate team in January
The issue was also one of the reasons for the initial tussle between BJP MP and wrestling association president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the wrestlers sitting on the dharna alleging sexual harassment against him. The wrestling association had announced in January itself before the dharna that separate teams would be fielded in the World Championship and the Asian Games. Some wrestlers opposed it. The wrestling association had also said that it is necessary to play in the national championship to play in the trials. There was opposition to this also.
Bajrang, Vinesh will also be able to play trial
IOA executive member and ad-hoc committee member Bhupender Singh Bajwa is holding daily meetings to resume wrestling activities. The committee is engaged in preparing the selection policy for the selection of the team in the coming tournaments. The committee wants that the way voices of protest were raised on the selection policy in the wrestling association headed by Brij Bhushan. This should not happen here. That is why the committee wants to allow all the state federations to field their wrestlers in the trials for the Asian Games and World Championships. Also wants to put the wrestlers included in TOPS in trial. In such a situation, the way will be clear for Bajrang, Vinesh, Sakshi Malik sitting on the dharna to appear in the trial. Now whether to play trial or not will depend on them.
National Championship announced by Wrestling Association postponed
The World Championships are to be held in Belgrade (Serbia) from 16 to 24 September, while the Asian Games are to be held from 23 September to 8 October. Wrestling will be held in the Asian Games from October 4 to 7. Due to the close proximity of both the dates, the wrestling association had decided to field both the teams. On the other hand, the ad hoc committee does not want to get involved in controversies. The committee also postponed the Under-15 and Under-20 national championships scheduled to be held in Pune on Tuesday by the Wrestling Federation. Their dates will be announced later.