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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, April 15: “Without frequent competition aboard, Indian wrestlers will not be able to realise their true potential and win laurels at the International arena,” said Kartar Singh, Asian Games gold medalist.
The former wrestler, who is an officer in the Punjab Police said that the need of the hour is long-term planning. “There is no dearth of talent in the country. It needs proper planning to nurture potential medalists.” He added: “Our wrestlers still fight bouts on akaharas which is often tedious. Whereas, the modern wrestling is quick and fast, which the Indian wrestlers cannot adapt to.”
The Asian gold medalist said that the decline in performance of the wrestlers is due to faulty system. He cited the example of Sujit Mann who got fourth position in the 13th Asian Games held in December last. “Had Sujit got International exposure before the Asian Games he could have won gold for the country,” said Kartar, who is also president of the Punjab Amateur Wrestling Association.
After Kartar Singh, who won gold in 1982 and 1986 Asian Games, no other wrestler had been able to end the drought at the Asian Games. In 1992 Asian Games Ombir Singh got fourth.
Another drawback which is plaguing the Indian sports is the lack of nationalism. Says Kartar: “Our sportspersons don’t think of the nation. Unless that feeling is inculcated among the players, it is impossible to hope for a medal.” He added: “Cuba is economically a weak counrty but their sportspersons excel in sports due to strong feeling for the nation.”
Politics is another reasons that has marred the Indian sports. He gave example of the controversy in which Pappu Yadav and Kaka Pawar were involved just before the Atlanta Olympic Games. “This kind of atmosphere has a negative effect on the budding players,” said the wrestler.
The PAWA president also said that at the International level lot of changes have taken place including diet and training methods. But the Indian wrestlers still follow the age-old methods of training. Whereas, other countries have made rapid strides, like having sports medicine facilities; periodical medical check up and a physiologist who coordinates with the coaches. The Indian wrestlers are unaware of these modern hi-tech facilities.
However, with the formation of International Organisation of Indian Wrestlers Society (IOIWS) by Non-Resident Indians, which is working for the benefit of the wrestlers in the country, the PAWA president is confident that in the forthcoming International meets wrestlers will do well. “There are few wrestlers from Punjab who have been spotted. They have the calibre to win medals in the Asian Games. The IOIWS will bear their expenses for training abroad before the big event.”
Meanwhile, the PAWA is planning to open up a wrestling academy at Anandpur Sahib, where 20 to 25 wrestlers in the age group of 16 to 18 years will be given training, besides boarding and lodging facilities.
“In the near future, a wrestling academy will also be opened at Jalandhar and Amritsar,” disclosed Kartar Singh.
