Wrestling set for overhaul with national rankings, int’l events and central contracts

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is set to introduce a national rankings system next year, host major international tournaments and identify 24 Olympic medal prospects for special assistance from a pool of 150, who will be offered central contracts.

“About 150 wrestlers will be given contracts but there will be 24, who will not only get contracts but also assistance through a separate initiative for their preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris,” a source in the WFI said.

The finer details of the planned central contracts are not yet officially known but the WFI is set to become only the second national sports body after the BCCI to offer such financial security to its athletes. In fact, the WFI will be the only National Sports Federation, recognised by the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry, to hand out contracts to junior and sub-junior grapplers as well. “We will also introduce national rankings in different categories. We were perhaps the only major NSF to not have the ranking. The tennis federation, badminton federation, all have it. So, we felt the need to introduce it from 2019. It will help the athletes measure their standings,” the source said.

Major international tournaments, sanctioned by the world governing body UWW, will also be held in the country in 2019 and broadcast live to reach out to more audiences. “There are two broadcasters in contention. I can’t name them as of now but we need to bring major tournaments where Indian grapplers are rubbing shoulders with world’s best, to the drawing rooms of the people. We need to change the way Indian wrestling is perceived,” said the source.