NEW DELHI: After taking a head in the sand approach to the latest controversy to hit India’s most celebrated grappler Sushil Kumar, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has finally woken up from its slumber.
It should come as no surprise that the WFI was not moved to action by an official complaint from Parveen Rana, who lost a wrestling match to Kumar recently that was more in the news over a post-match fracas in which Rana’s brother was beaten up by Kumar’s supporters.
What has got the WFI hot under the collar is the way Pro-Sportify, organisers of the upcoming Pro-Wrestling League, have used the Kumar-Rana feud as a hook to drive interest for the tournament that kicks off on January 9.
Two days ago, in a statement released by PWL, Parveen Rana had been quaoted as having said: “My mother is fighting against cancer right now. It’s in the third stage but more that she was really hurt to hear about the way I was attacked immediately after the bout (it took place on Friday, December 29). I am going to step into the PWL with her in mind, to avenge my unfair defeat.”
Rana went on to claim that the officiating during the trial held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium was biased. “I felt that the scoring was biased, that the bout wasn’t judged properly,” he had said. “But that is in the past. I am only concerned about beating Sushil in the ring now.”
The Tribune reports that this statement caught WFI, which had till then tried to downplay the unsavoury incident, unawares. WFI officials were upset about Rana’s suggestion that the refereeing was biased in favour of Kumar.
According to the daily, WFI has now told Pro-Sportify to get all their future press releases vetted by by the federation. “I wasn’t aware of it (Rana’s statement). I only came back to Delhi last night. But our assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told me about this matter and I think this was wrong,” WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh told The Tribune.
“This was not their (PWL) matter to deal with. The federation had organised the trial. This wasn’t a trial for PWL. They don’t have a right to comment on the matter,” Singh added.
Meanwhile, Rana has officially lodged a complaint with WFI. In a letter addressed to Singh, Rana has claimed that the attack on him and his brother was made at the behest of Kumar and that Kumar’s brother (not named) was also involved in the assault. Interestingly, Rana has also sent copies of the letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
In the letter, Rana has requested WFI to act swiftly in the matter as he is “still receiving threats”.
“I am fearful for my life and my family members’ life. I am still receiving threats,” Rana’s letter reads. “Sushil and his friends can strike anytime. Yesterday (December 31) while I was going for my morning practice, five-six unknown persons in three different bikes stopped me and said they won’t allow me to fight in the league (PWL) and was told that “We will kill you and your family members if either you or they dare to lodge any complaint against Sushil”.”
WFI is expected to form a committee to probe the matter. “This is a very serious matter and has to be probed in a fair manner,” Singh told Tribune. After the clash between the supporters of the two wrestlers last Thursday, Singh had said WFI would take action if a formal complaint is made.
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