Sushil likely for WFI mud wrestling event
MUMBAI: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar said on Wednesday he might take part in the Dangal, to be organised by the Wrestling Federation of India in Pune later this month. This is the first time the national federation will host this traditional competition on clay — in six weight categories and offering prize money.
“Traditional kushti is an old custom. That we’re trying to revive is in itself a great thing. If I’m free, I’ll definitely take part. I fight on the mud as well,” Sushil told Hindustan Times.
It’s yet to be seen if elite wrestlers take part though given the differences in technique with wrestling on mat.
WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said: “No wrestler is bound by the federation to take part. It’s up to them if they want to compete. UWW, our international organisation, has realised that wrestling on clay must be promoted as traditional wrestling. They probably want to hold an international competition. There are a few murmurs as well on how this can be pushed on to the Olympics… There will also be certificates issued for it (dangal).”
GRAPPLERS GET NATIONAL CONTRACTS
The WFI also upgraded the central contracts of Sushil Kumar and fellow Olympic medallist, Sakshi Malik, to Grade A, having initially placed them in Grade B. It handed out its first-ever contracts to five wrestlers — Pooja Dhanda, Sajan, Divya Kakran, Sushil and Sakshi.
Those in Grade A will get ₹30 lakh annually with Grade B, C, D and E to get ₹20 lakh, ₹10 lakh, five lakh and three lakh respectively. Besides, all U-23 national winners will get ₹1.2 lakh annually.
The contracts were handed over at the launch of the Tata Motors Elite Wrestlers Development Program, here.
Under the initiative, there will be two foreign coaches to train the men’s and women’s teams for the Asian Championships to be held in Turkmenistan next year and the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, an Olympic qualifier. The programme will also help fund overseas exposure trips for wrestlers and provide insurance against injuries.
However, there are several wrestlers like world silver medallist Bajrang Punia who are asociated with private bodies such as Olympic Gold Quest and JSW Sport, who offer similar support.
The federation isn’t concerned, though. “We don’t have any problem. They don’t have a system like ours. They have been supporting a few wrestlers, but it’s for us to train the wrestlers. It’s we who hold the camps. From coaching to foreign tours etc., we’ve incorporated everything,” Brij Bhushan went on to add. JSW Sports CEO Mustafa Ghouse said: “Once they’re ready with their plan and (we get to know) what they have in mind, I’m sure everyone will sit together and we will do whatever’s best for the wrestlers who are with us.”