Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat still have roadblocks, final decision on selection will be made sometime before Asian Games
The ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a circular that it has already selected wrestlers in men’s freestyle 65kg and women’s 53kg.
The ad hoc committee looking into the work of the Wrestling Federation of India took a major decision on Tuesday regarding the trials for the Asian Games. He exempted Vinesh Phogat (53kg) and Bajrang Punia (65kg) from the trials. After this, criticism of this decision started from all sides. Wrestlers playing in the category of Bajrang and Vinesh had threatened to go to court. After this decision, the Indian Olympic Association has issued an official statement saying that there should be transparency in the trials.
IOA gave a statement on the selection of Asian Games
In the release issued by the IOA, the rules regarding the selection of players in the team events and individual events for the Asian Games have been given. Separate rules have been given regarding wrestling. According to the IOA, ‘The selection of wrestlers for the Asian Games will be done as per the rules of the International Federation. Transparency will be maintained in the selection. Selection Committee officials, experienced and experts have recently issued the selection rules so that names can be selected before July 23, 2023.
The final decision will be taken before the Asian Games
It further reads, ‘The final decision to send a strong team to the Asian Games will not be taken yet. This decision will be taken sometime before the Asian Games. This will give an idea of the players’ form, performance and last-minute changes, which can have an impact on the selection. It is clear from this statement that Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat’s going to Hangzhou for Asian Games is not yet decided. At the same time, the IOA has also indicated with this statement that there can be a trial match in both these categories as it was said earlier. However, nothing has been officially said about this yet.
Ad hoc committee had given exemption to Vinesh and Bajrang
The ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a circular that it has already selected wrestlers in men’s freestyle 65kg and women’s 53kg. Despite this, trials will be held in all six weight categories in all three styles. The ad-hoc committee did not name Bajrang and Vinesh in the circular, but panel member Ashok Garg confirmed to PTI that both the wrestlers have been exempted from trial.
“Yes, Bajrang and Vinesh have been exempted,” Garg said. The ad-hoc committee took the decision four days ahead of the trials to select the wrestling team for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23. The Greco-Roman (60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg, 130kg) and women’s (50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 76kg) freestyle trials are scheduled for July 22, while the men’s (57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg) , 97kg, 125kg) freestyle trials will be held on July 23 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
