The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been given a week’s extension till July 22 to send the names of wrestlers for the 2023 Asian Games after the apex body sought time till August 5. The deadline for all countries to send the list of their athletes’ names was July 15 but the IOA was granted an extension of one week in “exceptional circumstances”.
The exception came when the IOA’s top management, including president PT Usha, senior vice-president Ajay Patel and joint secretary Kalyan Choubey, attended the general assembly in Bangkok.
Speaking to PTI, a source close to the IOA’s ad-hoc panel said, “IOA officials tried their best but OCA gave an extension of one week and they (OCA) said it is being given in exceptional circumstances. So , it is the end.” And we have to send the names of our wrestlers by July 22.”
While the IOA’s demand was till August 5, the source said an extension beyond July 22 was not possible. “They (OCA) don’t want to do something extraordinary just for India. So, further extension is not possible, this (July 22) is final,” the source said.
IOA president PT Usha had written to the OCA seeking an extension of the deadline for the six protesting wrestlers so that they get enough time to prepare for the trials ahead of the Asian Games to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from September 23. Then came the World Championships.
There was widespread uproar over the previous exemption of the IOA ad-hoc panel to six wrestlers. The wrestlers were told that they would simply have to compete against the winners of the trials in a one-match event, which was opposed by the other wrestlers, coaches and their families. It remains to be seen whether those six wrestlers will go through the usual two-stage trial or go through just one bout.
(with PTI inputs)