Vinesh Phogat pleads WFI to announce official trials format for Paris Olympics: ‘Other federations did it in December-January’

Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday took to her social media to plead the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to announce their official trials format for the Paris Olympics, with two months left in the summit event.

Phogat, who secured a quota in the 50Kg women’s category at the Asian Olympic Qualifier last month, wrote an open letter highlighting the need to keep the wrestlers ‘assured’ ahead of the big event.

Starting by congratulating her Indian peers on locking a quota for the mega event and thanking the well-wishers for their unwavering support, Phogat wrote, “Despite being just under three months away from the Paris Olympics, the Wrestling Federation of India has yet to announce an official trials format, including the date, time and venue. It is to be noted that all other federations have announced the qualification pathway and trials process with the clear format way back in December 2023 or latest January 2024.”

The Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medalist pressed on the need to provide absolute clarity to the athletes who are involved in the process.

“At this crucial stage, it is essential that all the qualified athletes have absolute clarity on the pathway and process towards the Olympics. Such clarity not only ensures fair competition but also maximises our country’s chances of securing medals and achieving excellence performance on the global stage. I request the Sports Ministry of India, IOA, Sports Authority of India and Wrestling Federation of India to prioritize this matter and promptly announce the dates, time, venue and exact format for the trials officially. Our athletes have worked tirelessly to earn their quotas, and they deserve the assurance and support of a transparent and well-defined selection process,” she added.

India secured six quotas for Paris 2024 – five of which came through the women’s contingent. Alongside Vinesh, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Reetika Hooda and Nisha Dahiya are the women representatives while Aman Sehrawat sealed lone male spot.

Wrestlers’ plight

It is a matter of frustration for the wrestlers to have secured a quota for the Games and yet, not be able to focus their attention on the mega event. Instead, they have to shift their attention towards yet another trial. Aman Sehrawat expressed his frustration over the matter.

“So many times I have cut my weight. How many times do I have to do it? It causes a lot of weakness. I don’t understand do I think of now winning trials again or start preparing for the Olympics? I think the work I need to put in for good preparation will be affected if I am asked to go through the trials again,” Aman told PTI in a recent interview.

“By the time trials are finished, the Olympics will be almost there, so when do we start preparations? In my opinion, trials should not be held,” he added.

WFI’s stance

Enquired earlier this week if the Indian Olympic Association held any say in the matter regarding the trials, the WFI chief Sanjay Singh had pressed that it wasn’t the case.

“Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will decide which wrestler will participate in the Paris Olympics, not IOA, and there will be fresh trials as well,” Singh told IANS.

“We have got approval/authority/recognition from the UWW (United World Wrestling). And it will be our duty to pick the team. How can IOA take that call,” he added.

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