The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is getting ready for the senior National camp after a hiatus of almost 15 months, with Delhi likely to replace Patiala as the venue due to the ongoing farmers' protest. The WFI-organized National camps have been on hold since January 2023 when three elite wrestlers accused then WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, leading to a controversy that affected Indian wrestling.
The National camp is set to commence soon after the trials, scheduled at the IG Stadium in Delhi on March 10 and 11. The ad-hoc panel, responsible for managing day-to-day affairs during the WFI suspension, initiated training camps for men in Rohtak and women in Patiala after conducting their own Nationals in Jaipur.
After the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted its suspension, the WFI announced trials to select the national teams for the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek (April 11-16) and the Continental Olympic Qualifier in the Kyrgyzstan capital (April 19-21). WFI president Sanjay Singh told PTI: "After we conduct these trials, the top four in each category will be invited to be part of the National camp," adding that the venues for the camps are yet to be finalised.
SAI Centers In Sonepat Likely To Host Men's Camp, IG Stadium In Delhi To Be Venue For Women's Camp
The SAI centers in Sonepat are expected to host the men's camp, while the IG Stadium in Delhi may be the venue for the women's camp, considering the movement restrictions in and around Punjab due to the ongoing protests. The selection trials will include the top performers from the recently concluded Nationals in Jaipur and Pune, and those who did not compete in either Nationals but are deemed as strong contenders.
"We will invite not just the winners but also the finalists and the semifinalists for the national camp," said a WFI source as per a PTI report, outlining the inclusivity of the selection process. Additionally, the WFI plans to conduct the U15 and U20 Nationals in Noida from March 28 to 30, with winners, finalists and two semifinal winners invited to join the National camp.
(With Inputs From PTI)