Protests before Asian Games wrestling trials as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gets bail on chaotic day

Indian wrestling continued to hog the limelight for the wrong reasons and there were many of them on Thursday. The fallout of the controversial decision to hand Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia exemption from competing at the Asian Games trials continued. Elsewhere, BJP MP and outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was in court over a bail plea.

Here’s how a whirlwind day unfolded in Indian wrestling:

Several young wrestlers and their families carried out protests at the door of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). They vowed not to leave the headquarters of the apex sports body till the exemptions for Punia and Phogat are not withdrawn.

The wrestling fraternity called the decision, taken by the IOA appointed ad-hoc committee without consulting with the coaches, unjust and unfair.

Wrestlers from training centres in Rohtak (Chhotu Ram Akhada), Narela (Virender Singh’s centre), Hisar (Baba Lal Das Akhada) Delhi (Hanuman Akhada and Chhatrasal Stadium), alongside senior citizens, gathered at the Olympic Bhawan.

Around 100 people gathered outside the Olympic Bhawan and urged IOA Secretary General Kalyan Chaubey to ensure fair trial.

Read | IOA on exemptions: ‘Final selection will be made prior to departure for Asian Games’

The IOA official, after conferring with his colleagues, met the protesters and assured them support.

“I am here, my wife is here and even Antim’s (Panghal) grandmother is here. Yogeshwar (Dutt) is also supporting us. We have met Kalyan Chaubey and made it clear that no exemption should be given to anyone. We will not leave this place until exemption is withdrawn,” Ram Niwas, Panghal’s father, told news agency PTI.

“Chaubey told us that now the matter is in the court, they can’t interfere. He said ‘we are not in a position to make a decision. If the court does not decide in your favour, then IOA will hold a meeting and try to help you’,” Niwas added.

Reigning U20 World Champion Antim Panghal and U23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal are leading the demand for a fair trial and have gone to court demanding justice.

Anshu Malik supports junior grapplers

जूनियर खिलाड़ियों की ट्रायल की माँग बिल्कुल सही है और ये उनका अधिकार है। मैं जूनियर खिलाड़ियों की माँग का समर्थन करती हूं।@ianuragthakur @PTUshaOfficial @ PMOIndia @Media_SAI @timesofindia @IndianExpress #Adhoc committee
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— Anshu Malik