Amid uproar over exemptions, IOA issues fresh statement on wrestling squad for Asian Games

Amid uproar over Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat's direct entry into the wrestling squad for Asian Games, the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad-hoc panel issued a fresh statement on Wednesday regarding the matter.

The panel said 'To maximize the chances of sending the most competitive wrestling team to the Asian Games 2022, the final assessment of the wrestling team will be made prior to departure of the team for the competition.'

A day after Phogat and Punia were exempted from trials, up-and-coming wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal objected to the decision and also moved the Delhi High Court asking the move to be stayed.

The wrestlers' joint petition demanded fair trails without granting any exemption to any grappler and the whole process should be videographed. The matter has been listed for hearing on July 20.

Vinesh (53kg) and Bajrang Punia (65kg) were given direct entries for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday while other wrestlers will have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23.