New Delhi: Indian wrestling continued to suffer from the federation mess in the country with the latest episode of embarrassment costing the wrestlers a chance of competing in the second Ranking Series of the year in Albania. The Sports Ministry said it had to withhold approval and blamed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for its failure to submit the necessary recommendations on time.
It is another massive blow for the Indian wrestlers who had already missed the first Ranking Series in Zagreb, Croatia, due to a conflict between the ministry and the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
The WFI was suspended by the Sports Ministry in December 2023 but remains recognized by the international body. The ministry withheld the approval after WFI sent a last-minute proposal to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) after the stipulated time.
Sports Ministry withholds approval due to delay in recommendations
“The WFI sent the proposal at the last minute and there was a delay in sending the proposed names to the SAI. So, it can’t be processed and approved,” a source in the knowhow of the developments told PTI.
“We are always read to sanction athletes for international tournaments but there is a laid-down procedure which we need to follow.
“Even on what basis the contingent was made was not clear as the WFI didn’t conduct any trials,” the source added.
The second Ranking Series is set to be held in Tirana, Albania, from February 26 to March 2.
Though the ministry has yet to approve the recommendations, sources believe there is still time and possibility of a reversal in the decision.
It will be interesting to see if the Indian wrestlers get the chance to feature in the Senior Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, from March 25-30, the third Ranking Series in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from May 29-June 1, and the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest, Hungary, from July 17-20.
(With PTI Inputs)
The Sports ministry withheld the approval after WFI sent a last-minute proposals to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), costing a chance of competing in the second Ranking Series of the year. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
