Wrestling Nationals: ‘If WFI strengthens akhada system, then India can produce more world-class wrestlers’

Prem Chand Lochab, the secretary of the Railway Sports Promotion Board is also the Secretary General of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India. Lochab had the support of wrestlers when he threw his hat in the ring for the WFI polls. In Jaipur, Lochab spoke to The Indian Express on two nationals being held back-to-back, the changes needed in the WFI, and how the country can continue to produce world-class wrestlers.

Excerpts from the interview:

The Railway Sports Promotion Board is hosting the senior nationals two days after the WFI’s. Where does this leave wrestlers?

At these nationals, wrestlers will get medals and certificates that are valid, and then job opportunities open up for them too. The Olympics are around the corner and wrestlers were waiting for these nationals. We didn’t want to delay it further. The mandate has been given to the Indian Olympic Association appointed ad-hoc committee to conduct the nationals and they approached the Railway Sports Promotion Board. Railways is the largest employer of sportspeople and we have many wrestlers too. So we agreed to conduct it.

What must be done by WFI to ensure the safety of women wrestlers?

This is a big issue. The key is to get the right people in the Internal Complaints Committee so women wrestlers are assured that their voices will be heard and solutions will be provided. If you have an internal complaints mechanism but people are appointed for the sake of it then it won’t work. If there is a complaint action must be taken immediately.

As secretary general of the suspended WFI have you been getting calls from wrestlers about the two nationals?

The sports ministry’s instructions are very clear that the Pune nationals conducted by the suspended WFI are not recognised. There is no ambiguity as to which of the nationals is recognised. At this point, the fate of WFI is not known. Nobody should try to create any confusion among wrestlers and force them to run from one championship to another.

You also wear the hat of the Secretary General of the now-suspended WFI. What are your comments on what happened post elections?

After the WFI election took place immediately decisions (to hold age group competitions in Gonda) were taken without following what was laid down in the constitution. I intimated the India Olympic Association the very next day (December 22). Wrestlers were not prepared for an event at such short notice. There was no need for such haste. It wasn’t the right way to go about doing things.

What is your vision to improve wrestling in the country?

There is immense scope for reforms in the WFI. In India, the akhadas groom wrestlers. If we strengthen the akhada system then we will be able to produce more world-class wrestlers. The WFI needs to support these akhadas by categorizing them. For example if there are two mats, we should provide two more. If it is very hot, there should be an air-conditioned hall, gymnasiums can be set up, and diet can be improved. Each wrestler spends about Rs 5 lakh a year, that is Rs 50 lakh in 10 years. The WFI needs to support these talented wrestlers financially too. We should link the akhada coach with foreign coaches. Most akhadas can’t afford physios. The WFI must help in technical, financial, and equipment terms. It will be a game-changer if the WFI does this.

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What made you contest for the WFI elections?

In railways, there are 10,000 sports people, including many wrestlers. I interact with them, I know their challenges and their issues. I deal with sports in railways. The wrestlers were also keen that if someone like me is in the WFI then there will be positive change. That is why I decided to contest.

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