WFI to allow only original-state wrestlers at trials
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New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to permit only wrestlers from their original states to participate in the upcoming trials, ensuring that wrestlers genuinely represent their respective states.
The decision comes in response to instances where wrestlers from states like Haryana represented other states, leading to concerns about authenticity.
The trials, scheduled to begin on March 10, aim to select teams for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Games Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Wrestlers are required to bring their WFI Licence Book, Birth Certificate, and Aadhar Card to verify their genuineness.
According to a WFI source, the federation will not prevent any wrestler from competing, but participants must represent their original state. Even if a wrestler genuinely hails from Arunachal Pradesh, they will be allowed to compete as a special invitee. The move aims to ensure fairness in team selection and prevent misrepresentation of states by wrestlers.
In addition, the WFI has allowed wrestlers to compete in more than one category over the two days of the selection competition.
This flexibility will enable strong wrestlers who may miss selection in one weight category to have an opportunity in another, leading to the formation of a robust Indian squad.
Notably, Antim Panghal, the sole Indian wrestler to secure an Olympic quota, has been exempted from the March 10-11 trials. She will compete against the winner of the trials at a later date this month.