In an unexpected development, star Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are likely to be directly nominated for the upcoming Asian Games without the need to go through the traditional trials. This decision comes after the Ad-hoc committee decided to grant them exemption from the trials, as per insider sources.
The prospect of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat bypassing the trials has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions within the wrestling community. Wrestler Antim Panghal, expressing his concerns over the situation, questioned the decision to send Vinesh Phogat directly despite not having any significant achievements in the past year.
Panghal revealed, "Vinesh is being sent directly, and she doesn't have any achievements in the last one year. Even in the Commonwealth Games trial, I had a 3-3 bout with her. Then too, I was cheated. A fair trial should be conducted to ensure justice and fairness in the selection process."
The exemption granted by the Ad-hoc committee has led to a division of opinions among wrestlers and fans alike. While some believe that established athletes like Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat should be given preferential treatment due to their past accomplishments and consistency, others argue that a fair trial process is necessary to identify the best contenders.
With the Asian Games being a prestigious sporting event, it is crucial to ensure that the selection process is transparent and based on merit. A fair trial would not only provide an equal opportunity to all wrestlers but also uphold the principles of justice and integrity in sports.
जूनियर वर्ल्ड चैंपियनशिप 2022 में स्वर्ण पदक और इसी साल एशियन चैंपियनशिप में रजत पदक विज़ेता Antim Panghal भी इसी देश की बेटी है जो अपने ही देश में इंसाफ़ की माँग कर रही है। क्या adhoc committee के पास इस बेटी के सवालों का कोई जवाब है?#कुश्ती बचाओ #AntimPanghal pic.twitter.com/qEjS1GYITc
— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) July 19, 2023
The controversy surrounding the direct entry of these star wrestlers is likely to continue until the situation is resolved by the concerned authorities. Wrestling enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting an official statement from the wrestling federation clarifying the reasons behind the exemption and the subsequent implications on the selection process.
As the sporting community closely watches the developments, the focus remains on striking a balance between recognizing the achievements of established athletes and offering a level playing field for rising contenders. The decision taken by the Ad-hoc committee has added an element of uncertainty to the wrestling landscape as the Asian Games draw near.
