MUMBAI: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) awarded Indian wrestlers with central contracts for the first time in history at the launch here of the 6-year ‘Tata Motors Elite Wrestlers Development Program’ on Wednesday.
As a result, wrestling becomes the second Indian sport after cricket to provide annual retainers that provides guaranteed basic earnings for its 150 players.
WFI president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh announced that the contracts will be thoroughly based on performance. So they have been divided into Grade A, C, D, E, F, G, H and I.
He clarified that Grade B won’t exist for the time being since champion wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik have been promoted from Grade B to A. The duo will be paid Rs. 2 million each per year.
Singh admitted that it was the WFI’s ‘mistake’ of differentiating Kumar and Malik vis-à -vis the likes of Commonwealth Games medallists Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Pooja Dhanda who are also a part of the Grade A category. However, the trio will be receiving Rs 3 million per annum, making them the highest paid in the sport in India.
Divya Kakran and Sajan Bhanwal were also present at the event and rewarded with Grade C contracts worth Rs. 1 million per annum.
Grades F-I are for young talents who are national champions in the U-23, U-15, cadets and other junior categories, incentivising them for exceptional performances by earning anywhere between Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 120,000. U-15 and cadet contracted wrestlers have the opportunity to get promoted a grade higher at the minimum, following medal winning performances at Asian and World championships.
