New Delhi: Indian wrestlers, who were selected to compete in the World Wrestling Championship in Albania, are now facing a tough situation. After being pulled out of the competition by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), these athletes have gathered outside the residence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking his intervention. The tournament is scheduled to start on October 28, and with only a few days left, the wrestlers are fighting to secure their chance to represent India on the global stage.
Wrestlers Fight for Their Careers After WFI Decision
Earlier this week, the WFI made the unexpected decision to withdraw all three Indian teams from the upcoming World Championship. This move has left the wrestlers disheartened, as many of them have been preparing for years to qualify for such a prestigious event. Manisha Bhanwala, a wrestler in the 65 kg women’s category, shared her frustration, saying, “It takes years to qualify for the World Championships, and now when we finally got the opportunity, it’s being taken away. Why should we suffer for something that is not our fault?”
The decision came after Sakshi Malik’s husband, wrestler Satyavrat Kadian, took legal action against WFI over the selection trials for both the Under-23 and Senior World Championships. The federation argued that the move violated a court ruling which restored the authority of the ad-hoc panel, appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), to oversee wrestling matters.
Future of Indian Wrestling in Limbo
The ongoing conflict between the WFI and the Ministry of Sports has led to a suspension of the federation, putting the future of wrestling in India in jeopardy. While the IOA has refused to reinstate the ad-hoc panel, the wrestlers’ careers hang in the balance.
Manisha, who has already won two bronze medals in the Asian Championships, further expressed the emotional toll the decision has taken. “We are sitting here, waiting. My mother has sacrificed so much to make me a wrestler. I can’t let this opportunity slip away.”
Joining her in this protest are other female wrestlers like Mansi Ahlawat (59 kg), Kirti (55 kg), and Bipasha (72 kg), along with a group of male wrestlers including Udit (61 kg), Parvinder Singh (79 kg), and Sandeep Mann (92 kg), who all travelled from Haryana to demand justice for their chance to compete.
Wrestlers Await Response from the Sports Ministry
With their visas and tickets ready, the wrestlers were supposed to leave for Albania soon, but the sudden withdrawal has halted their plans. Udit, who competes in the 61 kg freestyle category, expressed his disappointment, saying, “Everything was ready. We had to catch a flight at four in the morning, but now we are sitting on the road.”
The athletes initially approached the court to resolve the matter, but due to time constraints, their petition could not be heard. With little time left, they turned to the Sports Minister, hoping for a swift resolution. However, they have not yet been able to meet him. One wrestler shared, “We are being asked if we have taken an appointment. We haven’t been able to meet the minister yet.”
Wrestlers’ Last-Ditch Effort to Save Their World Championship Hopes
The wrestlers are determined not to lose this opportunity without a fight. Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful that the Sports Minister will intervene on their behalf. The 12 non-Olympic category athletes were set to represent India in the World Championship, and with just days remaining, they are running out of options.
As the situation unfolds, the wrestlers continue their protest outside the minister’s residence, waiting for a decision that could shape their futures in the sport. With the World Championship approaching fast, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these athletes who have dedicated years to perfecting their craft.
