India’s star wrestler and Bronze medallist of Tokyo Olympics Bajrang Punia is all set to take part in the Olympic trials to be held at SAI Academy in Sonepat on Sunday. It was learnt that Punia had already reached the venue with his foreign coach and is busy preparing for the trials, according to a report from The New Indian Express.
The trials were thrown into a jeopardy when the world governing body, United World Wrestling, in a letter made it clear that only its affiliated unit WFI will be able to send in entries for international tournaments. The WFI was suspended a few days ago and an ad-hoc committee formed by Indian Olympic Association was given the power to conduct the trials.
However, the letter from UWW forced the different stakeholders to forge a solution. It is learnt that all stakeholders decided to form a committee of observers with a representative each from WFI, sports ministry, ad-hoc panel and IOA. However, WFI will hold the power to appoint the referees and other officials for the competitions.
“The court’s directives meant only the ad-hoc panel can organise trials but the UWW will not accept their entries. At this point of time, there can be no other option but hold the trials to make sure Indian wrestlers compete in the Olympic qualifier and continental event,” The New Indian Express quoted a source as saying.
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“The coaches and referees will sign the results, which would be sent to UWW on Monday after the trials. No one from the ad-hoc panel will sign the results,” added the source.
