Wrestlers pay for their own trip, win medals

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Four young wrestlers, who competed in the Youth Commonwealth Championship (16-18 years age group) in Singapore recently and won four medals, had to bear their expenses to make the trip in the first place! The foursome: Santosh Yadav (50kg), Pardeep Singh (76kg), Parabhpal Singh (85kg) and Gurpreet Singh (100kg) returned with a rich haul of two gold, a silver and bronze, but courtesy the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), were left to fend on their own to make it to Singapore. The youngster had to suffer because the WFI had not sent a proposal to the Sports Ministry, as it always does, to ask for funds. Instead, the team on a “no cost to government” basis. The federation also did not raise funds for the trip and put the burden on the players.“As it is, we have to spend a huge amount on diet and training, now we have to bear the expenses for representing and winning medals for the country.” “It was painful, but at the same time we didn`t want to lose the opportunity as the event will help us in the Youth Olympics (also in Singapore),” one wrestler said. “We had no option but burden our parents as we have no source of income,” he added. The WFI is divided on whether it should have sought government support or borne the players` expense itself. “We don`t know why the top brass didn`t ask the ministry to fund the trip. If the government wasn`t funding the trip, the federation should have borne the cost,” said a Wrestling Federation of India member. When contacted, WFI president, G.S. Mandher, told a newspaper, “The federation was not interested in sending a team as we got the invitation late and the event was not on our list.” “As far as funding from the government is concerned, it allows participation in just two international events per year for this age group. We have identified two events of higher level which will provide better exposure.”