Qualify for World C’ships, get entitled for TOPS

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 4

Come up trumps at the selection trials for the World Championships and get entitled for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) funding. That’s the official word from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as it plans to completely overhaul the TOPS list, keeping in mind the 2020 Tokyo Games. The WFI would be submitting the revised list to the Sports Ministry after the trials in Sonepat on July 6. The World Championships will take place on August 21-26 in Paris.

“We are putting performance and talent over reputation. Winning the trial would mean getting nominated for the TOPS funding,” said Vinod Tomar, WFI’s assistant secretary.

The WFI has already drawn up a tentative list of TOPS nominees. The names in the men’s freestyle include Sandeep Tomar, Amit Dahiya, Bajrang, Amit Dhankar and Satyawart Kadian. In the women’s division, the shortlisted names are Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Ritu Phogat, Divya Kakran and Jyoti. “Barring any upset during the trials, these names look certain to make the cut. All are proven performers. If there’s any (shock result), the WFI would replace those names. However, in case of the 57kg and 61kg categories, the criteria of trials wouldn’t necessarily apply as we have a good talent pool and those finishing second in these divisions may also be nominated for the TOPS money,” Tomar added.

Not consulting Sushil

However, the WFI didn’t consider it important enough to consult Sushil Kumar, wrestling’s national observer, while finalising the TOPS lists. The federation still doesn’t consider him as an observer, a reason why he hasn’t been invited to observe the Sonepat trials.

“Why should we consult or call him? If Sushil is an observer, he can come on his own. He doesn’t need any invitation from the WFI. Moreover, he hasn’t retired from the game and runs a private wrestling academy. There’s a clear case of conflict of interest,” another WFI official said.

No national camps, no TOPS

As reported by The Tribune earlier, celebrated names such as Sushil, Yogeshwar Dutt, Geeta and Babita Phogat haven’t been included in the revised TOPS list. The federation’s official response is that these wrestlers aren’t part of the national camp, a foremost condition for the TOPS consideration.

“There’s a big question mark over Sushil and Yogeshwar’s continuance. Both aren’t part of the camp. Geeta and Babita didn’t turn up for the Lucknow camp, and instead chose to train under their father. So, their names have been dropped,” the official added.