Wrestling Vinesh Phogat might request Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to allow her joining the wrestling camp a days later than October 10. The Olympic-bound wrestler is amongst 15 shortlisted candidates who will join take part in the SAI camp in Lucknow. As per the New Indian Express, a source close to Phogat said that she might write to WFI requesting it to allow her to join later.
“She is still in a dilemma about the camp,” the source told New Indian Express. WFI, on the other hand, is confident that Phogat will join the camp. The federation had made it mandatory for wrestlers to attend the camp otherwise they would not be allowed to take part in national trials.
Vinesh is the lone woman wrestler from the country to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics so far. She was apprehensive even when the camp was first announced in August.
The wrestlers will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period and return negative test before they are allowed to begin mat training.
Asked if all the top wrestlers have agreed to join the camp, Tomar said, “All will have to come. Those who will miss the camp will be replaced and will not be considered for selection.”
Asked specifically if Vinesh has agreed to join the camp, Tomar said the WFI is arranging what she needs. “She wanted to train abroad but in the current situation, we are giving her good partners to train with at the camp.”
Before the camp was postponed, 2018 World Championship medallist Pooja Dhanda had said that “we have to learn to live with Coronavirus”, indicating that she will have no issues in joining the camp whenever it starts.
Meanwhile, the coach of an up and coming wrestler said his ward will join the camp but only because a place in the national team is at stake.
“After speaking with the parents of the wrestler, we have decided to send her. But the fear of catching the virus is still in their minds. We can’t say no, we can’t afford to miss the camp because then the federation will not invite her for trials for national selection,” said a coach, who did not wish to be named.