IOA’s ad-hoc panel on Tuesday passed direct Asian Games entries to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who had been at the leading edge of protest towards Singh.
The junior wrestlers, particularly the most-affected Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkalhave additionally slammed the panel and dragged it to the court docket, difficult a good trial in all classes.
Singh, who may be a BJP MP, stated that they had ended the follow of giving exemptions to wrestlers as a result of they learned that it was once hurting the juniors.
“I am pretty anguished since the ad-hoc panel took this decision. It will hurt the sport of wrestling in this country. A lot of people have worked hard to lift this sport. The athletes, their parents, the fans of the sport, all have worked hard,” Singh instructed PTI in an unique interplay.
“Today, wrestling is the one sport where an Olympic medal is considered guaranteed. And the decision that these wrestlers will go to a competition like the Asian Games, is an unfortunate one.”
Singh, who’s out on an meantime bail and no longer eligible to contest the approaching WFI elections because of the Sports Code tips, feels the protest introduced by means of six wrestlers was once motivated.
“When all this (protest) began (in January) I used to think why is it all happening? I had recited a poem back then (on social media),” he stated and recited the poem once more emphasizing that he selected to facet with the juniors and thus invited hassle for themselves.
The 19-year-old Panghal together with a number of different wrestlers, their households and elders hit the streets in Hisar to protest towards the ad-hoc panel’s determination.
“I am remembering this poem again today because things are becoming crystal clear.”
04:04
Vinesh Phogat will get exemption from wrestling trials; wrestler others object
When countered that even below his tenure as President, the WFI had exempted Vinesh, Bajrang and others from trials for the 2018 Asian Games and that even throughout the 2022 CWG trials, the similar wrestlers got direct semifinal entries, he admitted it was once a mistake .
“We did not send these wrestlers (to Commonwealth Games) directly, though we gave them direct semifinal berths. We realized later that perhaps it is not right and that’s exactly why we discussed this issue at our Executive Committee, took advice from the coaches, studied the rules from other nations and passed the new rules in General Body Meeting that such exemptions will not be given to any wrestler in any situation.”
“I myself did not make this rule, unilaterally. It was widely discussed and then a decision was taken.”
The WFI had handed the answer on August 25 at its General Body Meeting in Rohtak, remaining yr.
Singh selected to not discuss when requested what he thinks of the presence of Gian Singh and Ashok Garg as technical mavens within the IOA ad-hoc panel,
“Now I would request you to let this go. How well these coaches are well-versed with modern-day wrestling is another topic. I don’t talk to the media now but some issues were rankling me, so I spoke today (on exemption given to wrestlers),” he stated.