NEW DELHI: As the stir demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual exploitation of women wrestlers entered its third week on Monday, the protesting wrestlers began mat training after a gap of 15 days.
Tokyo Olympics Bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, two-time World Championships Bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat, and Rio Games Bronze medallist Sakshi Malik were among the wrestlers who went to the Railways’ Karnail Singh Stadium in the morning. Their hour-long mat session was supervised by Dronacharya awardee Sujeet Mann, who is Punia’s personal coach.
Bajrang and Vinesh have not competed in any international tournament since January and have not gone for training abroad though the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had cleared their training-cum-exposure stints on their request.
“The last time we did mat training was a day before the resumption of this protest. And you have seen how busy we were in meeting supporters in the last 15 days. The discussions were happening even late in the night, training was not possible. But now, we will do mat training consistently,” a wrestler who was part of the training session told PTI.
“We had light training today as we followed techniques. Gradually, we will start strength and endurance training as well. We are hoping that a proper resolution will come and by that time we want to be ready for the Asian Games trials. We also want to compete in the upcoming Ranking Series tournament,” he added.
IOA’s ad-hoc panel meets for first time
Meanwhile, the ad-hoc panel, formed by the IOA to run the WFI’s day-to-day activities had discussions with coaches and SAI officials.
Keeping in mind the Asian Championships for Under-17 and Under-23 wresters, to be held in Bishkek from June 10-18, the panel decided to hold trials from May 17-19 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
There were discussion on resuming the national camps for senior wrestlers but SAI will take a final call, PTI further reports.
“There was no issue with regards to the men’s national camp and a date will soon be finalised by the SAI, but the women wrestlers are not keen to join the camp in Lucknow. They want the camp to be held in Delhi at the IG Stadium but accommodation is an issue there,” an IOA source told the newswire.
“The SAI officials are discussing it and will finalise the dates and venue for the camp soon,” the sources added.
