Wrestling nationals start, without the official stamp

In the Olympic year, the wrestlers have a confusing road ahead with the official event in Jaipur scheduled to be held from Feb 2-5

- Rutvick Mehta

Large hoardings in Marathi about the senior wrestling nationals are planted in pockets of Pune, the volume of which increases as one inches closer to the Rajaram Bhiku Pathare Stadium. The small indoor facility in the outskirts of Pune is playing host to the three-day championships organised by the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and not recognised by the union sports ministry.

One couldn't tell there was anything unofficial about this, though. Diyas were lit in its opening ceremony on Monday morning, watched on by a bunch of dignitaries seated on a huge dais. Among them was Sanjay Singh, president of the suspended WFI who took over from former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

He addressed the gathering, comprising wrestlers, coaches and referees, with a speech that stated, "khushti rukni nahi chahiye, chahe kuch bhi ho (wrestling should not stop, come what may). I will not let the future of young wrestlers get destroyed. I am here standing beside you, rest assured," he said.

Whether that sense of surety is being felt by the wrestlers is another matter. For, after the pause of last year due to protests by the top wrestlers over Brij Bhushan's alleged sexual harassment, the sport's restart has been marred by two different nationals being held by separate bodies. In an Olympic year no less.