New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to reserve quotas for the Senior Asian Championships, scheduled from March 25 to 30 in Amman, Jordan.
The participation of Indian wrestlers in the continental championship is hanging by a thread in the ongoing deadlock between the WFI and Indian sports ministry. After reports have emerged that the two bodies recently held a meeting in what looked to find a middle ground for wrestlers’ to participate in the event in Jordan as it is mandatory for them if they want to participate in the World Championships later in the year.
According to a report by The Bridge, the last date to make the submission of the names of all participating wrestlers is February 25. WFI president Sanjay Singh said that the federation will send tentative names to the event organisers in order to seal the quota for the event.
“Tomorrow (February 25) is the last date. We will reserve our quota by sending tentative names for now,” Sanjay Singh told The Bridge.
The Sports Ministry had suspended the WFI just days after the national federation held elections in December 2024. This meant that an Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee was responsible for the daily functioning of the sport in the country. However, the United World Wrestling (the global governing body of the sport) only recognises the team selection from the national sporting federation of a participating nation (which is WFI for India).
The Delhi High court’s order to allow IOA’s ad-hoc committee doesn’t help the WFI to field teams for the Asian Championship as it would invite contempt of court charge.
“We will not send the team, we are not allowed to hold trials. There is a court order and doing so would lead to contempt of court. We’ll just reserve the quota,” said Sanjay Singh.
Earlier this year, the Indian wrestlers couldn’t participate in the two ranking series in Zagreb Open and Muhamet Malo events.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) faces a critical deadline for the Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan. A dispute with the Indian Sports Ministry threatens Indian participation. To secure quotas, the WFI will submit tentative names, despite the ministry’s suspension and a Delhi High Court order preventing trials. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
