NEW DELHI: Serious allegations have been made against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for committing irregularities in selecting a seven member team for the Seoul Olympic Games.
“Assessment” trials, as announced by the national coach K.N. Singh, were converted into final trials without informing the wrestlers. This was bad enough. What was worse is that the 100 kg category was reserved for Kartar Singh subject to the condition that he was fit.
There were it is learnt, five grapplers in 90 kg and 100 kg categories. Four wrestlers were subjected to trials while Kartar Singh was rested. Subash (Delhi) won ail his bouts against the remaining three,
Then a bout between Subash and Kartar Singh was organised. It was virtually a stage managed show as both these wrestlers belonged) to one ‘akhara.’ Subash shocked everyone present by conceding the bout to Kartar Singh. The argument advanced was that there was no need to test Subash as he was already chosen.
Owing to the bread down in Wire Services the Olympic News from Seoul has been disrupted. Look for the Olympics in the following issues of WSN. —Sports Ed.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1988
