Wrestlers Protest: Six protesting wrestlers will compete in Asian Games selection trials in August where they will compete against the champions of the trials from their respective weight divisions, thanks to approval from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad hoc committee. Thus, following a one-bout shoot-off, the six wrestlers — Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Satyawart Kadian, Sangeeta Phogat, and Jitender Kumar — would have the opportunity to compete at the Asiad.
Ministry Extends Deadline for Asian Games Trials
The wrestlers were informed of the decision in a letter dated June 16 that is on file. “The selection trial for wrestlers in respective weight categories, namely: Ms Vinesh Phogat, Mr Bajrang Punia, Ms Sakshi Malik, Mr Satyawart Kadian, Ms Sangeeta Phogat, and Mr Jitender for Asian Games 2023 will be conducted between 5th August and 15th August 2023,” the letter, addressed to the six wrestlers and signed by ad hoc committee chairperson Bhupender Singh Bajwa, said. “The trial of these wrestlers will be conducted with winners of respective weight categories for Asian Games, World Championships, Olympic qualification trials conducted for participation, if done previously,” it added. The wrestlers asked the sports ministry earlier this month for permission to compete in the Asian Games trials in August, alleging a shortage of training time as a result of the prolonged protest against former WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The ministry requested that the deadline for submitting names be extended to August 15 by sending a message through the IOA to the ad hoc committee, which in turn wrote to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
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Uncertain Response from OCA as Deadline Looms for Asian Games Names Submission
OCA has not yet responded, but we are waiting. On July 15, the initial deadline for submitting names to the Asian Games organisers expires. While wrestling quota spots are not available at the Asian Games (September 23–October 8), the World Championships in Belgrade, which come before the Asiad, will provide Paris berths. Only two of the six wrestlers, Bajrang and Vinesh, hold medals from the Asian Games; they are both the reigning champions in their respective weight classes. The IOA’s constitution requires the nomination of a CEO/Secretary General, although the organisation has not yet complied. Kalyan Chaubey, president of the AIFF and joint secretary of the IOA, is now serving in such capacity. In addition, the international organisation requested that IOA respond to the problems impacting various sports federations “in a coordinated manner and in accordance with the rules and directives of the International Federations concerned.” “This includes, in particular, the situation of the Wrestling Federation in India,” the IOC stated during its Executive Board (EB) meeting.
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