UP Government to Support Indian Wrestling till 2032 Olympics

In a move of great support, the Uttar Pradhesh government has decided to adopt the sport of wrestling and support it till atleast the 2032 Olympics. Wrestling has been the most successful sport for India, with grapplers winning medals in the sport for the last 4 consecutive Olympics.

Recently Bajrang Punia and Ravi Kumar Dahiya picked up a bronze and silver medal respectively at the Tokyo Olympics. The Uttar Pradesh government has adopted the sport and is expected to pump in an investment of around Rs. 170 crores in infrastructure and development said WFI chief Brijbhushan Singh according to PTI.

An official from the Wrestling Federation of India said that the UP Government had taken inspiration from the Odisha government’s support to the the sport of hockey, and have decided to assist wrestling in a similar way.

UP Government will Invest Around Rs.170 crores in wrestling; Build state of the Art facilities

“In our proposal, we have asked for Rs 10 crore support every year till the 2024 Games (Rs 30 crore) and in the next Olympic cycle till 2028, we have asked for a support of Rs 15 crore per year (Rs 60 crore) and in the final phase till 2032, it is Rs 20 crore per year (Rs 80 crore),” he said explaining the details to TOI.

With such support, sponsorship will not be limited only to star wrestlers, but it can and will be extended to even cadet wrestlers, and prize money can be given at national championships.

The WFI had also roped in Tata Motors as a key sponsor in 2018, and their deal is set to renew this year again.

 “As of now, only the senior and elite level wrestlers have personal coaches and guidance of foreign coaches. But we can even invest heavily in training of our cadet and junior wrestlers also.”

The deal with the UP government will even allow the WFI to send its cadet wrestlers out of India for international exposure, as well as build state of the art facilities in India where international athletes can train. They are hopeful to build centres in Lucknow and Noida where Indian as well as international athletes can come stay and train.

Also read: Odisha Government to Sponsor Indian Hockey Teams for the Next 10 Years as New Era of Hockey Begins in India