Satpal foils Yashvir,again

Yashvirs name was cleared some time back, confirmed SAIs regional director teams Radhica Sreeman. But Satpal,as he has done in the past,refused departmental clearance in his capacity as director.

I had called up Satpal but he told me I will not release him, WFI secretary general Raj Singh told The Indian Express. I am not blaming one or the other,but being from the same akhada and the department,the least they could do was work well together, he added.

The relationship between the duo has been frosty for the last couple of years. Selection issues in the past,when Yashvir ruled out Narsingh Yadavs exclusion for Deepak from Chhatrasal akhada in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic qualifiers have seen the one-time confidantes drift apart.

Interestingly,this is the second time in six months that Yashvir,Indias only coach to have been awarded with the prestigious FILA coach of the year award,has been refused permission. Last November his was the most glaring omission from the camp. Also,in 2010,Yashvir was forced by Satpal to withdraw his Dronacharya award nomination in favour of Ramphal Mann.

Geeta to lead challenge

Meanwhile,Geeta Phogat will spearhead the Indian womens challenge at the Asian Wrestling Championship to be held here from April 18 to 22.

squad: Priyanka Singh 48kg,Vinesh 51kg,Babita Kumari 55kg,Geeta Phogat 59kg,Geetika Jakhar 63kg,Navjot Kaur 67kg and Jyoti 72kg.