Celebrated Indian grappler Yogeshwar Dutt neither praised nor criticised the new selection policy of the IOA-constituted ad-hoc panel for wrestling, which states that Olympic quota winners will have to compete against a challenger to book a ticket to the Paris Games.
As per the new policy, the wrestling squad for the Paris Olympics will be finalised through a two-step selection process where the grapplers, who have earned quota places for the country, will compete against a challenger on June 1, and the winner will represent India in the quadrennial showpiece.
Dutt said it is the prerogative of the officials running the sport in the country to decide the selection policy.
«Earlier, the wrestlers who used to qualify went on to compete in the Olympics. As per the current selection policy, Antim (Panghal) who has secured an Olympic quota, is not assured of a Paris berth. She has to go through one trial, Dutt said on the sidelines of the launch of the mascot and logo for the Khelo India Para Games to be held here from December 10 to 17.
«Till date, no trials have happened; I am speaking of our times. Whoever won the quota went on to represent the country at the Olympics. But it is a rule made by the federation, and we have to respect it.
«It is the prerogative of the federation to make the rules and amend them.»
So far, only Antim Panghal, the world championship bronze medallist in the 53kg category, has earned a quota place for the country, and she too will have to compete against a challenger on June 1 to know whether she will go to Paris or not.
Antim could end up competing against arch-rival Vinesh Phogat for the Paris berth if the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist emerges as a challenger,» which will be determined on May 31. The IOA-constituted ad hoc committee stated in a statement on Saturday that all the challengers will be determined on May 31, and the wrestle-off between the Challenger» and Olympic quota winner will take place on June 1.
