Indian wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh return to training ahead of the Asian Games trials. Wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat and Geeta Phogat have made a comeback at the SAI center in Sonepat. While, Vinesh visited the center on June 9, her cousin Geeta was accompanied by her husband Pawan Saroha, who is also a wrestler.
Significantly, Geeta’s younger sister is also going with her husband Bajran Punia. The Asian Games trials are to be held later this month but the wrestlers have been requesting for the trials to be held at the end of August so that they get time to prepare for it.
A SAI source said, “The protesting wrestlers have been away from the mat for a long time. Mostly they are spending time in the gym. Sangeeta is also working on strength building.” “Vinesh had joined the center as early as June 9. Geeta Phogat is also coming regularly. It seems normalcy is returning to the campus,” the official said.
The wrestlers approached the Sports Ministry with a request to delay the trials. Meanwhile, the IOA has asked all national federations to submit their squad lists by June 30. The IOA has approached the Olympic Council of Asia asking if it can submit the list by August 10. IOA has to give list to OCA. Till 15 July.
OCA unlikely to delay squad submission deadline
In the latest development, it is being told that the OCA may not entertain the request of the IOA to delay the list of players for the Asian Games. “OCA has to manage 45 countries and 40 sports disciplines in the Asian Games. It will be very difficult for wrestlers to accept IOA’s request to extend the deadline by about one-and-a-half months. Let’s see what happens. If OCA is still Had it been a matter of 4-5 days, there would have been no issue, but a delay of 40-45 days is not possible.
“(Giving so much) time is an insidious thing. When the Asian Games are starting on September 23, how can you delay the entries by one-and-a-half months.” Go by the rules of the Asian Committee.
If the OCA considers one country’s request, there are 45 other countries that will raise questions and ask the OCA to accept their requests as well.