The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been granted a partial extension to the deadline for submitting the names of the wrestling team for the upcoming Asian Games. The six protesting wrestlers had requested an extension until the first week of August, but the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has agreed to give them only eight additional days, extending the deadline until July 23.
However, the IOA is seeking a further extension and has requested that the deadline be extended until at least August 5. IOA President PT Usha believes that this extension is necessary for the interest of the nation, particularly for the betterment of Indian wrestlers who have historically performed well in wrestling events at the Asian Games. Usha expressed optimism about India’s chances in wrestling, stating that the country is expecting to win four to five medals, including gold medals.
The request for an extension has caused problems for the ad hoc panel responsible for organizing the trials, as they have not yet announced the dates for the selection trials. As a result, the wrestlers are currently in a state of uncertainty and are unable to train without a clear target.
Among the six protesting wrestlers, Bajrang Punia, an Olympic medallist, is currently in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan for a 36-day training program. He must ensure he is in full fitness before the July 23 deadline. Jitender Kinha, another protesting wrestler, is accompanying him. Vinesh Phogat, who led the protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), was planning to go to Hungary but has been unable to do so due to visa issues. Sangeeta Phogat, also involved in the protest, was supposed to accompany her. Additionally, Sakshi Malik and her husband Satyawart Kadian, two other protesting wrestlers, are currently in the US.
It is worth noting that the OCA typically does not grant extensions to deadlines due to the involvement of numerous nations and disciplines. They believe that granting a concession to one country would create a precedent that would necessitate similar concessions for others.
In conclusion, the IOA has been granted a partial extension to the deadline for submitting the names of the wrestling team for the Asian Games. While the OCA has given them until July 23, the IOA is requesting a further extension until August 5 for the betterment of Indian wrestlers. The delay in announcing the trial dates has caused problems for the protesting wrestlers who are currently unable to train effectively.
