SAI sanctions Rs9m+ to send wrestling contingent for World Cup

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NEW DELHI: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Thursday informed that it has sanctioned over Rs 9 million to send a 42-member wrestling contingent for the Individual World Cup scheduled to be held from December 12 to 18 in Belgrade, Serbia. 

This includes the costs of air tickets, boarding and lodging, amongst other things.

“The participation in the tournament has been sanctioned by the government at an overall cost of more than Rs 90 lakhs (Rs 9 million) and will include air tickets, boarding and lodging, United World Wrestling licence fees, visa fees and out of pocket allowances for players, coaches and referees,” a SAI statement read.

It will be the first international competition that Indian wrestlers will be participating in after the nationwide lockdown was imposed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UWW had last month decided to organise the ‘Individual World Cup’ as a substitute event for the ‘World Championships which could not be hosted this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

India have attained a total of four Olympic quotas in wrestling through Bajrang Punia (men’s freestyle 65 kg), Vinesh Phogat (women’s 53 kg), Ravi Kumar and Deepak Punia.

They will have two more opportunities to attain the remaining quotas at the Asian Qualification tournament scheduled in March 2021 and the World Qualification tournament scheduled from April 29 to May 2, 2021.