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Doubts remain over wrestlers from Railways taking part in the National Championships to be held from December 6 in Bengaluru. It has been learned that around 100 wrestlers are waiting for approval since their department is yet to send entries for the upcoming tournament.
On the back of the uncertainty, a few wrestlers have submitted an affidavit to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), showing their desire to participate in the competition and that the Railways are not willing to send any of their wrestlers.
The Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) is currently holding a camp that started on November 10 and will end on December 12, but there was no clarity on whether it was for the Nationals. The RSPB had named 15 coaches, 81 wrestlers in freestyle and Greco Roman style and three trainers for the camp.
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"We have been told that 98 per cent Railways will not send its team to the Nationals. But no one is telling us why? That's why, not many women wrestlers have reported to the coaching camp," a wrestler told PTI (via The Week).
"If there is no selection trials during the camp and we will not be allowed to compete at the Nationals, what's the point of having this camp," the wrestler added.
"Politics has always been there in Railways" - Wrestler slams the authorities
Another wrestler lashed out at the Railways, saying that athletes are being deprived of their chances to represent the national team. The wrestler also slammed the authorities for being biased towards “so-called star wrestlers” including Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia.
"Politics has always been there in Railways. Several times we were told to switch categories if so-called star wrestlers like Bajrang or Vinesh would compete. Trials were not held in their categories. It has been going on for long,” another wrestler said.
A coach, who is attending the camp, said that they are yet to get any written letter, but confirmed that they received verbal communication that the Railways would not send wrestlers for the Nationals.
