Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Retired Sakshi Malik Invited by WFI for National Trials – News18

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Monday invited protesting grapplers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and retired Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik to return for the nationwide trials in March to pick out the workforce for two high Asian competitions, together with the 2024 Paris Games Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan.

One of the situations put by the United World Wrestling (UWW) whereas lifting the suspension on WFI earlier this month was that the three grapplers wouldn’t be discriminated towards for protesting towards former nationwide federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The three have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for his alleged sexual harassment of girls wrestlers. The sports activities ministry had additionally suspended the WFI final 12 months within the wake of the intense allegations and instituted an advert-hoc panel to run the affairs of the game.

The ministry had additionally ordered recent elections, which had been held in December final 12 months, however the newly-elected physique underneath Sanjay Singh was suspended by the ministry three days after its formation for not giving sufficient time to age-group wrestlers to arrange and journey earlier than saying the dates for the nationals.

The ministry once more instituted a 3-member advert-hoc panel to run the affairs of the game.

The WFI, whereas saying the trials on March 10-11, additionally included the names of Bajrang (65kg freestyle), Vinesh (55kg) and Sakshi (62kg), who had introduced her retirement from the game in “frustration” the day Sanjay Singh was elected president.

“I would like to inform all affiliated units of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that the selection trials to select the teams for participation in the following events are being conducted on 10th and 11th March 2024 at K.D. Jadhav Wrestling Indoor Stadium, IGI Sports Complex, New Delhi,” stated Sanjay Singh in a press release.

The trials are being held to pick out the groups for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) from April 11-16 and the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Tournament on the similar venue from April 19-21, the assertion added.

“All state units are requested to intimate the wrestlers as per list attached to participate in the said trials,” added the assertion.

The three wrestlers didn’t participate within the nationals organised by the suspended WFI in Pune and as an alternative competed within the nationwide championships carried out by the advert-hoc committee in Jaipur earlier this month.

The UWW lifting the suspension on WFI on February 13 has made issues complicated within the Olympic 12 months.

While the WFI continues to stay suspended by the ministry and the reins have been given to the advert-hoc panel, the WFI is the one physique which may ship groups overseas as a result of they’re recognised by the worldwide physique.

The suspension was imposed by UWW on August 23 final 12 months after the nationwide federation failed to carry elections in time.

Sakshi and Bajrang have additionally accused WFI of utilizing devious means to get the UWW suspension lifted and threatened recent protest.

The trials will likely be carried out in all the burden classes — Olympic and non-Olympic — in free-model and greco-roman.

Haryana’s Vishal Kaliraman, who couldn’t go to the Hangzhou Asian Games final 12 months regardless of successful the trials, can be Bajrang’s important opponent within the 65kg class if the Olympic medallist decides to return for the trial subsequent month.

Several khaps had then supported Kaliraman and criticised Bajrang for going to the Asian Games regardless of not showing for trials.

Antim Panghal, the one Indian to have certified for the Paris Olympics thus far, will likely be showing for trials within the 54kg class.

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)