Innovative: The Railway Stadium has been transformed right into a makeshift indoor facility
| Photo Credit: Y.B. Sarangi
In the backdrop of an ongoing tussle between the Union Sports Ministry and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over recognition of the latter, a number of prime wrestlers of the nation will test themselves ahead of the Olympic qualifiers once they compete within the three-day National wrestling championships, beginning on the Railway Stadium in Jaipur on February 3.
With two National championships being held back-to-back in Pune and Jaipur, the Government has made it clear that it could not recognise the outcomes from the Pune occasion because it was organised by the ‘suspended’ WFI – headed by former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s acolyte Sanjay Singh.
As the Ministry has backed the Nationals organised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed ad-hoc physique right here, it was no shock that names of a number of elite wrestlers — who would wish the Sports Authority of India’s funding for his or her Olympic preparation — featured within the record of members.
Among them, two-time World championships bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat (55kg) — a distinguished face within the wrestlers’ protest towards Brij Bhushan, who’s charged with a number of allegations together with sexual harassment — is making a comeback after her knee surgical procedure. As per the WFI data, Vinesh had competed in 2019 National championships in Jalandhar.
Two different Worlds medallists Anshu Malik (59kg) — who has been out of motion since securing a bronze within the Asian championships in April due to a knee challenge — Sarita Mor (59kg), Asian championships silver medallist Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (Greco Roman, 87kg) will add high quality to the sector. Besides, a bunch of promising wrestlers, who’ve proved themselves by medalling at World under-20 and under-23 championships, shall be seen in motion.
While public sector models, Services and Railways, and one faction of the Haryana unit fielded the bulk of main wrestlers within the championships, confusion prevailed in some circumstances as wrestlers belonging to two factions of some state models reached right here to compete.
With the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) internet hosting the occasion, wonderful preparations have been put in place by changing an open floor to a make-shift indoor facility.
