Women wrestlers refuse quarantine, force natl camp postponement

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been compelled to postpone resumption of the ladies’s nationwide camp in Lucknow after prime wrestlers of the nation refused the necessary 14-day quarantine on their return from every week’s Diwali break, a federation official mentioned on Saturday.

The fortnight’s quarantine is a part of the Sports Authority of India’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as a result of Covid-19, however most wrestlers refused to return to the camp, which was scheduled to renew on Thursday following the pageant break. The camp, initially postponed from September, had began on October 10.

Only 4—two wrestlers, chief coach Kuldeep Malik and a physiotherapist reported on Thursday. At least 16 wrestlers, assist employees and private coaches have been within the camp.

“Barring a few, almost all wrestlers said no to the camp as they termed the 14-day quarantine a waste of time. They have decided to train on their own at their homes,” WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar mentioned. “We had no option but to postpone the camp.”

He mentioned the wresters although would proceed preparations for the World Cup scheduled in Serbia from December 12-18. “We also have plans for the national championships in December. Only after that will the camp resume at Lucknow,” he mentioned. “There is no change to the men’s camp, which is under way at Sonepat.”

The ladies’s camp was initially scheduled in September, however distinguished wrestlers had refused to hitch, citing a surge in Covid-19 circumstances, forcing WFI right into a postponement. WFI had just lately introduced a ‘no break’ coverage for the nationwide campers.

Wrestlers have been upset after the United World Wrestling (UWW) early this month cancel this yr’s world championships after many international locations refused to take part because of the pandemic.

A WFI insider, who didn’t want to be recognized, blamed the federation for permitting the Diwali break. “WFI shouldn’t have allowed the wrestlers a week’s Diwali off and should have let the camp continue. I’m sure some wrestlers would certainly suffer due to this.”

Asian championship gold medallist, Divya Kakran, welcomed the transfer. “I’m relieved the camp has been postponed. I wasn’t getting a good training partner there. Now, I will have better training at my centre in New Delhi with good training partners.”

“I was supposed to join the camp, but I could not after Diwali due to my grandmother’s illness. I got to know about the postponement only last evening. I’m focused on training for the World Cup and the Asian Olympic qualifiers in March at Xi’an (China),” mentioned Divya, who received bronze on the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

A couple of different campers have been pissed off. “Not getting a good training partner may be an issue for some, but I’m quite disappointed,” mentioned a wrestler who didn’t need to be recognized. “Being in quarantine for 14 days is for our health. I was ready to train in Lucknow, it is not possible to get good training facilities at home.”