Federation Cup: Top wrestlers in the fray as sparring WFI and RSPB eye resolution

The stand-off between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) over the participation of the wrestlers employed with the Railways, due to the withdrawal of Government recognition to the WFI, is heading to an end with more than 10 of them participating in the Federation Cup starting on the Lovely Professional University campus at Jalandhar on Saturday.

After missing the National championships in Bengaluru in December and the National Games this year, several top Railways wrestlers – including Paris Olympian Antim Panghal (women’s 53kg), World under-23 bronze medallist Sagar Jaglan (freestyle 86kg), Sujeet Kalkal (FS 65kg), Yash Tushir (FS 74kg), Vishal Kaliraman (FS 65kg), Kuldeep Malik (GR 72kg) and Viresh Kundu (GR 130kg) – have entered their names from their respective states for the Federation Cup.

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The two-day event will be one of the two competitions (the other being the Nationals) from which medallists will earn eligibility to take part in the trials for the Asian championships, scheduled in Amman from March 25 to 30.

The Asian event assumes importance as it opens the doors for participation in the World championships, scheduled in Zagreb from September 13 to 21.

Indian wrestlers have already missed two Ranking events in Zagreb and Tirana this year due to the lack of Government recognition to the WFI. This has denied them chances to gather valuable world ranking points, which are crucial to get seeding in elite events including the World championships.

Altogether 424 wrestlers from 21 states have sent their entries for the Federation Cup.