Among those unable to participate in the event is India’s first ever Under-20 woman world Champion Antim Panghal.
New Delhi: Only nine out of 30 Indian wrestlers were granted visas to compete at the U23 Wrestling World Championships taking place in Pontevedra, Spain. The Championships commenced on 17th October and will go on till 23rd October.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had picked a 30-member squad, but the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi denied visas to the other 21 Indian wrestlers for fear they might overstay.
Among those unable to participate in the event is India’s first ever Under-20 woman world Champion Antim Panghal.
WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar says “This is something we have never faced before. Despite presenting the Indian government’s clearance and an invitation from the world governing body UWW, our wrestlers have been denied visas on the most frivolous ground”.
“We received rejection letters this evening (Monday) after we made a request to release passports as soon as possible. This is really bizarre. I really don’t know how the embassy officer came to the conclusion that wrestlers and coaches won’t come back to India.”
Out of 10 freestyle wrestlers, only Aman (57kg) was granted a visa, while applications of nine others were rejected. Interestingly, three free style coaches were granted visas. Among women only Ankush (50kg) and Mansi (59kg) were granted visas.
“Six Greco Roman wrestlers have already reached Spain and two women wrestlers left on Sunday,” said Tomar. “Our wrestlers are strong medal contenders, they have been denied the opportunity to shine on the big stage,” he added.
Mahabir, a Dronacharya awardee said: “This is really humiliating. What do they think of Indian wrestlers and coaches? Why won’t we leave the country, we were only going to compete and I have been to Spain and USA at least 5-6 times in the past”.
“Spain should be fined and banned. It has already created a huge issue at the Championship. It’s a matter of shame for Spain as a country. Our wrestlers lost just an opportunity but Spain has lost face,” he said.
Mahabir recounted how the UWW had held out a ban threat against the WFI if it denied Pakistani wrestlers the opportunity to compete at Asian Championship in 2019. “Now that was at Asian level but this is at the world level. We will see what UWW does now,” he said.
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