Pro Wrestling League: WFI to monitor wrestlers’ payment after complaints during previous edition
Acting on complaints related to athletes’ payment in the previous Pro Wrestling League (PWL) edition, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to monitor the disbursement of fees when the league is re-launched next month.
The WFI is working to finalise the last of six franchises while gearing up for the proposed PWL auction, featuring six teams (with a franchise fee of Rs 7 crore) and 300-plus athletes (with minimum and maximum fees of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 40 lakh respectively), on January 3.
“Last time, there were complaints regarding payments. This time, the referees’ and athletes’ payment guarantee lies with the federation. The franchises will disburse the money, but we will monitor that,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told Sportstar during the National championships here.
On 2026 Asian Games preparations, Sanjay said there would be no relaxation for any celebrated wrestler.
“We will pick athletes from the Nationals. We have proposed a camp of 265 days to the Government. For all three styles, we will hire foreign coaches. After the PWL, we will start the national camp. Everyone needs to attend the camp. This venue (Veer Savarkar Sports Complex), Sonipat and Lucknow are the options for the men’s camp. The women’s camp will be in Delhi.
“The selection policy is strict. Only those who fulfil the criteria will be allowed to compete in the trials. None from outside these criteria will be allowed, no matter how big the wrestler is. We will restart all tournaments, including the Ranking Series.”
On Vinesh Phogat’s decision to come out of retirement, Sanjay said, “She is most welcome. Like any other wrestler, all rules will be applicable to her.”
The WFI has conveyed to the Sports Ministry its target of securing 12 medals in the Asian Games and five in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The WFI annual general meeting on Saturday chose Olympian Jai Prakash as its secretary in place of Prem Chand Lochab, a known sympathiser of the protesters during the wrestlers’ agitation. “Lochab never attended any meeting and never replied to any communication. Besides, he was involved in anti-WFI activities,” said Sanjay.
Published on Dec 13, 2025