Dispute between WFI-FILA leaves wrestler Yogeshwar in lurch

Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt has paid the price for Wrestling Federation of India's financial dispute with FILA as the grappler has been barred from competing in the Golden Grand Prix event in Azerbaijan by the organisers on the world body's instruction.

Yogeshwar was India's lone entry to the Grand Prix event as the WFI had sent his name to the organisers. Over two hundred of the world's best wrestlers from 35 countries competed in Olympic wrestling's three styles from November 22-24.

The combative wrestler, accompanied by chief coach Vinod Kumar, was in for a rude shock when the organisers barred him from participating on the instructions of FILA (International Federation of Associated Wrestling

WFI owned money to FILA for hosting the Asian Wrestling Championships this year. FILA had demanded the money from WFI to which the Indian federation assured the governing body to settle the remaining amount during the Heydar Aliev Memorial Invitation. FILA, however, instructed the organisers to not allow the Indian entry in the Golden Grand Prix event.

Styles) owing to the world governing body's tiff with the Indian federation.

WFI owned some part of the money to FILA for hosting the Asian Wrestling Championships at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi from April 18 to 22 this year.

FILA had demanded the money from WFI during the World Championships in September in Budapest to which the Indian federation assured the governing body to settle the remaining amount during the Heydar Aliev Memorial Invitation.

FILA, however, instructed the organisers to not allow the Indian entry, Yogeshwar, from competing in the event till the issue was not resolved with the WFI. The dispute between FILA and WFI robbed Yo- geshwar of the chance to compete against the world's best wrestlers and get battle ready for the tough assignments ahead.

Asked about the incident, Yogeshwar told PTI: "Federation must be aware of what went wrong in Baku. There was some problem which I don't know. You should ask our coach Vinod Kumar who accompanied me or the federation officials. I only know one thing that even my weight did not happen leave alone the participation. It was an important tournament for me for three reasons."

"Firstly, I would have competed as per the new rules introduced by FILA from this season. My injury did not allow me to compete in tournaments with new rules. Secondly, I would have competed in new weight category (66kg) than my traditional weight (60kg).”