As Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) gears up to resume the national camp next month, some wrestlers are still reluctant to join it. The Indian wrestling body on Saturday announced that it will be restarting the camp from September 1 with 26 wrestlers. However, elite wrestlers are not sure if it is a good idea. “I do not get it why are they in a hurry. This is off-season and no competitions are approaching so they should not just hurry into the decision,” a wrestler who has been shortlisted for the camp on condition of anonymity told WrestlingTV.
While the month-long camp for the male grapplers will be held at SAI Sonepat, the women will train at the Lucknow centre. “The decision to commence the camp has been taken to ensure that those athletes who have qualified for the Olympics and those who can still qualify for it, can begin on-field training,” SAI said. However, the wrestler said that there was no information about it and the decision has been taken without her knowledge.
“Lucknow has been one of the epicentres for COVID-19. The cases are continuously increasing and it will put us at risk,” the wrestler said. Another grappler echoing her counter-part said it is good that the camp is resuming but it would be beneficial if everyone agrees to come. “Yes, it is good the camp is finally resuming but I want everyone who has been shortlisted to come. Otherwise, there is no point for us to go too,” she said. “We would be travelling by public transport and it is already so risky and then if someone decides to skip the camp for personal reasons, then even we should not be allowed”.
Both the camp will conclude on September 30.
Shortlisted wrestlers for the camp
A total of 26 wrestlers in eight weight categories — five freestyle (57, 65, 74, 86, 125kgs) and three Greco-Roman (60, 77, 87kgs), as well as six support staff, will be part of the men’s camp.
The women’s camp will witness participation from 15 wrestlers in five weight categories (50, 53, 57, 62, 68kgs), besides the presence of four support staff.
Prominent wrestlers who will take part in the camps are Ravi Kumar, Bajrang Punia, Narsingh Yadav, Deepak Punia, Sumit, Gyanender, Sajan, Sunil Kumar, Nirmala Devi, Vinesh Phogat, Pooja Dhanda, Sakshi Malik and Divya Kakran.
“The athletes, coaches and support staff joining SAI Sonepat and SAI Lucknow will have to undergo mandatory COVID test upon arrival at the camp and resume training after a 14-day quarantine period. The COVID-19 guidelines of the Government of India, state government and the SAI SOP will be adhered to strictly,” SAI’s press release read.