Asiad trials set to be conducted behind closed doors after wrestlers’ parents argue with ad-hoc panel | More sports News

NEW DELHI: The ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has made the decision to conduct the Asian Games wrestling trials behind closed doors. This decision comes after a tense situation arose at the IG Stadium on Friday, where parents of some wrestlers engaged in a heated argument with the panel members.
The controversy stemmed from the exemption given to Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia (65kg) and world medallist Vinesh Phogat(53kg) from participating in the trials.This decision led to unrest among the families of other wrestlers, who believed it to be “unfair” and “unjust.”
The situation escalated as angry wrestlers and their family members threatened to boycott the trials as a form of protest. The ad-hoc panel, in an effort to prevent any further confrontations, decided to restrict entry for the trials and conduct them without any spectators inside the wrestling hall.
The panel took measures to ensure the trials proceed as scheduled. Each wrestler will be accompanied by their coach and masseur during the trials.
The local authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the region, have been asked to provide sufficient personnel to ensure no unauthorised individuals enter the hall during the trials.
The trials will proceed as planned, with selections being made in six Greco-Roman and as many women’s categories on Saturday.
The trials for six men’s freestyle divisions will take place on Sunday. The ad-hoc committee is taking these steps to maintain order and fairness during the selection process for the Asian Games wrestling team.
“Trials will take place tomorrow as the Delhi High Court has not given stay orders,” Gian Singh said.
“Our job is to organise the trials and whosoever comes first we will send his or her name to IOA. The decision on who they (IOA) want to send to the Asian Games after that is their job,” he added.
The wrestling trials for the Asian Games snowballed into a big controversy after the ad-hoc committee handed direct entries to Vinesh and Bajrang, who spearheaded the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The exemptions did not go down well with many young wrestlers like Antim and Sujeet Kalkal as they challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court demanding fair trial.
Even Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, who was part of the protest against Brij Bhushan, and celebrated Yogeshwar Dutt had also questioned the ad-hoc panel’s decision.
London Olympic medallist Yogeshwar, who is a member of IOA’s Athletes Committee, had several meetings with coaches and ad-hoc panel members Singh and Ashok Garg, both former wrestlers, and tried to convince them about injustice being meted out to younger crop of wrestlers.
Ad-hoc panel member Singh also said that trials for the World Championships to be held in Belgrade, Serbia in September will be held next month.
“World championship trials will take place between Aug 10 and 15 between the top four wrestlers in each category from the July 22 and 23 trials and the six protesting wrestlers will also have to compete in those trials if they want to get selected for World Championships,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)