Sushil-Narsingh should not be used as pawns in WFI politics:HC

Grapplers Sushil Kumar and Narsingh Pancham Yadav should not be used as "pawns" in the "politics" of the wrestling federation, the Delhi High Court today said and termed as "unfortunate" the tussle between the two as to who will represent India in the 74 kg freestyle category at the Rio Olympics 2016.
Justice Manmohan also wondered whether the two wrestlers who have brought laurels for the country "even understand what they are doing" as these things were happening due to "politics" in the federation, which is "shocking".
"All these things are happening due to the politics in the federation. These two wrestlers should not be used as pawns like this. They should not be used for politics. This is shocking," Justice Manmohan said.

"I do not know whether they (Sushil and Yadav) even understand what they are doing. They both are international athletes. This is very unfortunate," the court added.
The court was hearing arguments on a petition filed by two time Olympic medallist Sushil seeking a direction to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to conduct a selection trial to decide who will represent India in the men's 74kg freestyle category at the Rio Games.
During the hearing, senior advocate Nidesh Gupta, who appeared for Yadav, argued that his client has booked a berth for the country at the Rio games in 74 kg category by winning a medal in the World Wrestling Championship held last year.

"Athlete who secures a quota, represents the country in the Olympics. Past record shows this. Sushil Kumar himself was the beneficiary of this in past three occasions. Having selection trial at this stage would be perverse," he said duirng the arguments which would continue on June 1.

Regarding the arguments advanced by Sushil's counsel as to why the selection trial for this category was held last year, Gupta said, "trial had be done before September 2015 as the world championship was scheduled in September. If we do not send out best athlete then chances of winning a quota would have been less."

He claimed that Sushil has not taken part in any event after July 2014.
"For the past two years, he (Sushil) has not participated in any event. WFI also says so. He does nothing for almost two years," he said claiming that Sushil had not given his medical certificates to the federation earlier.
During the hearing, Gupta told the court that Sushil had
given medical certificates for 35 days only but he had not participated in any selection trial or events for the past two years.
He claimed that Yadav's name have been sent for Rio and the qualification period of September 2015 to May 2016 for the Olympics was ending tomorrow.

"I have been selected for the event in a reasonable and fair manner," he said, adding that Yadav was going to Poland on June 2 with the Indian contingent for training.
However, at the fag end of the hearing, Sibal told the court that last date for sending the names for the Olympics was July 18 and it was not the case of WFI that the names have been sent.
WFI had earlier told the court that Yadav was a better bet than Sushil in the 74 kg freestyle category at the Rio 2016.
It had claimed that Yadav was the "most suitable wrestler" and a better candidate compared to Sushil who had "consistently" avoided facing him during the last two years in selection trials.

Sushil had countered the claims and had alleged that he was not considered for a trial to have a chance to represent India at the Olympics in the 74 kg category as he had not participated in the cash-rich 'Pro-Wrestling League'.
Sushil had approached the high court after his name did not figure in India's Rio preparatory camp.