Yogeshwar Dutt comes down heavily on ad-hoc panel for Vinesh, Bajrang's exemption | Asian Games 2023

Former wrestler and Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt slammed the trial exemption handed to grapplers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for the Asian Games, calling the move 'biased' and 'strange'.

In a Twitter live, Dutt came down heavily on the IOA saying its decision has created confusion, stating "Yesterday, the ad-hoc committee issued a letter stating the Asian Games selection trials will be held on July 22 and 23 in all 18 weight categories. But in 53kg and 65kg categories, the panel said the selection has been done even though it didn't disclose the names. It created a big confusion."

He argued that the committee had said selections for the squad would be made in accordance with the federation rules but it had not been done.

WFI rules allow the selection committee to pick past winners of Olympic/World Championship medals without trials, but only if that is recommended by the chief coach/foreign expert.

"I have spoken to Jagminder and women's national coach, who said they were against exemption from trials. Till chief coach or national coaches agrees, the selection is not complete. It was wrong decision not to take them into confidence," Yogeshwar said.

The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist questioned, 'Have you taken fitness test of those two selected? If you have to send team this way, you should have selected the whole team. Why have you given exemption in only these two weight categories?'

Urging IOA chief PT Usha to reconsider the decision, Dutt said, "There is no transparency in the decision, please take a call and save wrestling."