In a major blow to the Phogat sisters’ hopes of competing in the Asian Games in August, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has axed them from the national wrestling camp over disciplinary issues. The WFI has made it clear that all the four sisters will have to explain their absence from the ongoing camp to stand any chance of being taken back.
The WFI’s action comes even as Babita Phogat claimed to be injured.
The action taken by the federation against the wrestlers means that they could be barred from the Asian Games trials scheduled towards the end of May 2018. The Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Indonesia in August-September this year.
Two of the sisters, Babita and Geeta Phogat, who rose to fame after their story was brought to the big screen in Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’, had finished on the podium at the recent Commonwealth Games. They along with younger sisters Sangeeta and Ritu were sent home from the ongoing camp in Lucknow after violating the rules that had been put in place for the camp.
WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “The wrestlers selected for the national camp are expected to physically report to the camp within 3 days. If they have any problems or issues they should go there and report it to the coaches and find a solution.”
“But Geeta, Babita and others (in all 13) did not do that. They were incommunicado. This is serious indiscipline on their part and the WFI felt it's time to pull the plug. So, we have told them to sit at home and enjoy,” he added.
He capped it off by saying, “Let them first come to us and explain the reasons behind their actions. For now, they are out of the national camp.”
When Babita was contacted regarding the issue, she cited knee injuries as the reason for her absence from the camp. “I didn't receive anything (show-cause notice) from the federation. Yes, I haven't joined that camp yet as I am recovering from injuries to both my knees,” she said.
Meanwhile, she feigned ignorance about why Geeta had not joined the camp yet, while claiming that the latter was in Bengaluru, training at a private facility.
"Geeta is in Bangalore. I thought she has joined the camp. I am also going to Bangalore for my rehab at the JSW facilities," she said.
The men's and women's nationals will be held concurrently in Sonepat and Lucknow respectively, from May 10 to 25.