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NEW DELHI: There is fear among India’s elite women wrestlers, fear of catching the coronavirus if they go to the Sports Authority of India Centre in Lucknow – the official venue for national camp for women wrestlers in the country.
The reason for it isn’t the SAI Centre itself, rather it is the building next to the centre – the Haj House, which has been turned into a Covid care facility by the Uttar Pradesh government. Many corona patients are being quarantined at the care centre.
With the likes of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Pooja Dhanda averse to go to the Lucknow facility, the national camp, which was slated to begin in second week of August, has been postponed again. It was initially proposed to be organized in late-July. The national camp for men, which was slated to be held simultaneously in Sonepat, has also been postponed.
“Some of the star wrestlers have raised objections and are against holding the national camp now. So, both the camps (men and women) have been postponed. The camps will most likely be held next month, any decision over the new dates will be taken after the Independence Day,” WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told TOI.
In all likelihood, the venue for the women’s camp is going to be changed. “The federation has received several requests from the women wrestlers regarding a change in venue, including that from Vinesh and Sakshi. We are actively considering their requests, but a decision hasn’t been taken yet,” Tomar said.
Some women wrestlers clearly expressed their concerns. “I have decided to give the centre a skip. The rising number of corona cases is a big concern for me. I have said no to the federation,” Vinesh said.
“In my opinion, the camp can easily be held in Sonepat or Patiala. Going to Lucknow will be risky now,” said Sakshi.
“It won’t be wise to hold the camp in Lucknow, considering the corona care centre is next to the camp venue,” said up and coming wrestler Sonam Malik.
Among the top male wrestlers, Sushil Kumar, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia are training at the Capital’s iconic Chhatrasal akhada, while Bajrang Punia and Jitender Kinha had moved last month to Bangalore-based Inspire Institute of Sports training centre to begin their Tokyo Olympics preparations.
The reason for it isn’t the SAI Centre itself, rather it is the building next to the centre – the Haj House, which has been turned into a Covid care facility by the Uttar Pradesh government. Many corona patients are being quarantined at the care centre.
With the likes of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Pooja Dhanda averse to go to the Lucknow facility, the national camp, which was slated to begin in second week of August, has been postponed again. It was initially proposed to be organized in late-July. The national camp for men, which was slated to be held simultaneously in Sonepat, has also been postponed.
“Some of the star wrestlers have raised objections and are against holding the national camp now. So, both the camps (men and women) have been postponed. The camps will most likely be held next month, any decision over the new dates will be taken after the Independence Day,” WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told TOI.
In all likelihood, the venue for the women’s camp is going to be changed. “The federation has received several requests from the women wrestlers regarding a change in venue, including that from Vinesh and Sakshi. We are actively considering their requests, but a decision hasn’t been taken yet,” Tomar said.
Some women wrestlers clearly expressed their concerns. “I have decided to give the centre a skip. The rising number of corona cases is a big concern for me. I have said no to the federation,” Vinesh said.
“In my opinion, the camp can easily be held in Sonepat or Patiala. Going to Lucknow will be risky now,” said Sakshi.
“It won’t be wise to hold the camp in Lucknow, considering the corona care centre is next to the camp venue,” said up and coming wrestler Sonam Malik.
Among the top male wrestlers, Sushil Kumar, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia are training at the Capital’s iconic Chhatrasal akhada, while Bajrang Punia and Jitender Kinha had moved last month to Bangalore-based Inspire Institute of Sports training centre to begin their Tokyo Olympics preparations.
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