Wrestling Federartion of India might not renew contracts of Sushil Kumar, Pooja Dhanda

Arrested in a homicide case, double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar is ready to be dropped from the Wrestling Federation of India’s annual contracts checklist together with Pooja Dhanda on account of non-performance when the physique holds a evaluate assembly subsequent month.
The assembly between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and sponsors Tata Motors was to be held in 2020 however was placed on maintain because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A WFI supply mentioned the choice to drop Sushil is only primarily based on efficiency and has nothing to do along with his arrest for his alleged involvement within the homicide of a fellow wrestler, Sagar Dhankad, on the Chhatrasal stadium.
“It is clear that Sushil and Pooja have not done anything notable since they were offered contracts. They will not make the cut when the review meeting is held next month,” a WFI supply instructed PTI.
The WFI had taken a leaf out of BCCI’s e book to supply central contracts to its gamers in 2019. About 150 wrestlers had received one-year contracts that are topic to evaluate.
Sushil was promoted to Rs 30 lakh Grade A contract after initially being positioned in Grade B that gave the wrestlers an annual remuneration of Rs 20 lakh. Pooja was additionally positioned in Grade A.
Sushil couldn’t win any medal within the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and likewise bowed out of the 2019 World Championship with a detailed first-round defeat. He has not competed since then.
The 2018 World Championship bronze-medallist Pooja too has misplaced her place within the 57kg class. She didn’t compete in 2020 and her final medal-winning efficiency got here in July 2019 when she received a silver on the Grand Prix of Spain.
When contacted, WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar didn’t verify exclusion of the 2 wrestlers however hinted such a step can’t be dominated out both.
“All decisions will be made at the meeting only. But one thing is sure that sponsors’ money will not be distributed for nothing. We have to utilise the money wisely,” Tomar mentioned.
Much earlier than Sushil received embroiled within the surprising case, there have been questions as to why WFI was holding him within the contracted checklist given his lack of participation on the worldwide degree.
To this, Tomar defined that, “Sushil was not paid his full contract amount in 2020.”
“See, we did not give fresh contract to any wrestlers in 2020 because there was no review. We paid Sushil a sum only for one quarter in 2020 and he got nothing after that because he was not competing,” he mentioned.
A call on Olympic bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik, who has been overwhelmed by the younger Sonam Malik 4 occasions within the final 15 months within the 62kg class, will even be keenly watched.
Sakshi, who has a Grade A contract, was compelled to compete within the non-Olympic 65kg division, the place she received a silver medal on the Asian Championships in Almaty, final month.
Tomar mentioned there are good probabilities that Seema Bisla, who certified for the Tokyo Games in 50kg, might be given a contract.
“I can’t say if Seema will get the highest bracket but she should get one. She surprised all of us with her good show. Also, WFI President BB Sharan had awarded Rs 2.5 lakh each to youngsters Anshu Malik and Sonam for showing tremendous progress,” he mentioned.
“We also released one quarter’s payment to 60 junior (Rs 7500 per month) and Cadet (Rs 5000 per month) wrestlers,” he mentioned.