Wrestling impasse continues: Hear Sushil Kumar out, Delhi HC tells WFI, sports ministry

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to give a hearing to Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who has sought a selection trial to decide who will represent India in the men’s 74-kg freestyle category at the Rio Olympics. “This court directs that in the meantime, the petitioner (Sushil) shall be given a hearing by the president, vice-president, secretary and coach of respondent number 4 (WFI),” Justice Manmohan said. The court also sought the response of the Sports Ministry and WFI and asked them to file their affidavits. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on 27 May. [caption id=“attachment_2785152” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Only one of Sushil Kumar or Narsingh Yadav will go to Rio 2016 Olympics.[/caption] The court’s direction came while hearing a petition filed by Sushil, who was present in the courtroom, seeking a direction to WFI to conduct a selection trial for selecting which wrestler will represent the country in 74-kg freestyle. The counsel appearing for Sushil told the court that the Olympic medallist was injured when a Wrestling Championship was held last year, where another athlete Narsingh Pancham Yadav had won a medal. He said that as Yadav had won the medal in Wrestling Championships, the Olympic berth was given to him in the category. He said that as per the government of India scheme for promoting wrestlers to win Olympic medals, Sushil has been getting funds for his training. “The petitioner (Sushil) has received the funds even after Narsingh Yadav had won a bronze medal at the Championship,” he said. “I have reason to take a shot at the Rio Olympics. Confusing signals have been given to me and there has been no response from WFI. If the selection trial is carried out, I don’t want to miss that. The WFI has failed to follow the guidelines,” his counsel said. Countering his submissions, the counsel appearing for WFI told the court that Sushil had been participating in 66-kg freestyle category and now at the fag end he wants to participate in 74-kg category. “Narsingh Yadav has participated in 74-kg category and has won a bronze medal in the World Wrestling Championship which is far tougher than the Olympics,” the counsel said.