KOCHI: Sushil Kumar may have moved court to ask for a trial in 74kg category, but for Wrestling Federation of India, Narsingh Yadav is “the best bet at the Olympics in Rio”. During Friday’s hearing at Delhi High Court, the federation defended its selection policy. Sushil said he was being targeted because he didn’t participate in the Pro-Wrestling League.
“The respondent number 5 (Yadav) has been found to be the best wrestler to represent India in the upcoming Olympic games. The selection has been made in a fair and transparent manner,” argued WFI. Even as the matter is being heard in court, it is learnt the WFI is planning to stick to their earlier schedule of sending grapplers to Poland next week. The federation also told the court that Narsingh has been wrestling in 74kg since 2006, while Sushil moved up to that category in 2014.
According to sports ministry sources, if the court gives a favourable verdict to Sushil, ministry and WFI officials will treat this as a special case and organise trial only in this category. “There have been indications but nothing is certain as of now,” said a source.
Names of all the eight wrestlers who have earned Olympic berths along with their sparring partners and coaches have been forwarded to the ministry. “We expect the ministry to clear them soon and the trip will go ahead as per schedule. Visas should be done by June 2. We don’t want other grapplers to suffer, “ said VN Prasood, secretary general of WFI. Even Narsingh was seen in the court room on Friday. His lawyer also argued on his behalf.
The repercussions of Sushil-Narsingh legal tussle would be felt in WFI soon. Raj Singh, one among eight vice-presidents in the federation, on Friday withdrew his affidavit that he had earlier submitted in Delhi High Court in favour or Sushil. It’s safe to say there are a few more chapters to unfold before this issue can be declared closed.