The meeting between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and grappler Sushil Kumar in the national capital Wednesday remained “inconclusive” as the sports body stood its ground over not conducting a selection trial between the two-time Olympics medallist and Narsingh Pancham Yadav, says a report in Chandigarh Tribune.
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India most successful Olympian Sushil Kumar will not get a chance to challenge for a berth on the flight to Rio unless the judiciary finds his claim valid and rules in his favour.
Addressing mediapersons, Sushil said, “I have always wished Narsingh well and do not have any grudges against the federation”. The WFI has been non-committal on the matter and the Sports Ministry also decided not to intervene, saying it was a decision that the federation would have to take.
“We won’t allow Sushil to be in the national camp until the next High Court hearing on May 27”.
On why there has been a communication gap between Sushil and WFI after Narsingh had qualified nearly eight months back in last September, Brij Bhushan said, “I have never told Sushil or for that matter any other perosn that WFI will hold the trials”.
WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told Reuters that they were aware of Kumar’s High Court attempt but stressed it would be an “injustice” to Yadav if a trial match were to take place.
“He also told them that he was now fit and should be given a fair trial”, Satpal said, adding that the star grappler also mentioned that he had gone overseas for training with the federation’s permission. I asked Sushil what he would have done if he was in my place. “They have always supported me. Unfortunately, the situation is such that I have to fight for a trial against him”, he added. They have sent me for training in Georgia.
“I have got the training and exposure from the federation from the beginning (of career). My chief has also always stood by me”.
Sushil had moved court as his last resort having already taken the matter to the doorsteps of Prime Minister’s Office. “It’s about the country at Olympics, and the best athlete should represent India”.
The former World champion had argued that the government has spent a substantial amount of money on his training and even the federation has been asking him to keep practising.
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While Narsingh insisted that going to the Brazilian capital was his right since he secured the quota in the 74kg category with a bronze medal finish in last year’s World Championships, Sushil, who also won gold in the same category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has called for trials to be conducted to determine who should go to Rio. Sushil, who missed the event due to a shoulder injury, has been demanding a trial.
