Agencies
New Delhi, May 16: Left with no other option, two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar moved Monday to the Delhi High Court with a plea to direct the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to conduct a selection trial to decide who will represent India in men’s 74kg freestyle category at the Rio Games. Sources claimed here the HC could hear the matter Tuesday.
“We had no option but to take the matter to the court as Sushil wants a chance to undergo a trial,” a source close to the wrestler said.
After his name did not figure in India’s Rio preparatory camp, Sushil suffered Monday yet another setback as sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal ruled out intervention in the selection battle for the Rio Olympics while stating in Patiala, that the matter is for the WFI to decide.
“The government has nothing to do with it. The federation, which is an autonomous body, is the final authority. We respect the autonomy of all sports federations,” Sonowal said.
With the WFI reluctant to conduct trials in the 74kg to decide who between Sushil and Narsingh Pancham Yadav would eventually represent India at the Rio Olympics, the former World Champion had taken the matter to the doorsteps of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He, though, is yet to get a response.
Meanwhile a source close to the wrestler stated that Sushil had been assured of a spot in the Rio squad. “If it was already decided that the athlete winning the quota place would be the one going to Rio Games, then WFI should have told him (Sushil) and also his name should have been omitted from the sports ministry’s TOP scheme.
Meanwhile in the perspective of the developments Monday, the WFI has called for a meeting Tuesday.
