Women’s wrestling camp postponed amid COVID-19 pandemic fear
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Women’s wrestling camp which was scheduled from September 1 in Lucknow has been postponed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Saturday. The decision is taken after star wrestlers have shown reluctance to join the camp amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The SAI informed of the update in its press release shared with First Sportz. However no update was given on the men’s national camp. The camp for men’s wrestler is scheduled in Sonepat from September 1.
At the moment, SAI is responsible for organising camps for all the sports disciple. All the 57 National Sports Federations are de-recognised by the sports ministry on Delhi HC’s direction. The list also includes Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Vinesh Phogat said no to camp due to COVID-19
Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat earlier said no to the Lucknow national camp. She expressed her fear over her safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grappler requested Indian Wrestling Federation to let her train alone.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik reportedly said she is yet to decide over joining the camp. The 27-year-old grappler stressed that she will join the camp if 15-20 wrestlers are part of the camp.
Men’s national camp in doubt as well
There are clouds of doubt hovering over the men’s national camp too. The current SAI’s COVID-19 protocol demands grapplers to undergo 14-day quarantine.
This two-week gap apparently is not sitting well with many wrestlers. Most of them have started training at local centres near them.
Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar is currently training at his own centre at Chhatrasal stadium in New Delhi.
The grappler has already confirmed he wishes to continue to train there. But will adhere to WFI’s wishes. WFI has also showed it resentment over wrestlers attitude. A senior official argued that their decisions are taken with grapplers’ safety first
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Aditya Halder
(5 Articles Published)