27 August,2016 08:29 AM IST | | Subodh Mayure
Organisers invite Indian wrestler Narsingh Pancham Yadav to promote first ever Vishwavijeta Gama Wrestling World Cup (VGWWC), but forget that according to rules, banned grappler cannot be present
Wrestler Narsingh Yadav was slapped with a four-year ban by CAS after WADA challenged NADAu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099s verdict to allow him to participate in Rio Games
Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav's four-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) not only threw him out of Rio Olympics just a day before he was set to take part in his weight class bouts, but has also barred him from promoting any wrestling events in the country.
Wrestler Narsingh Yadav was slapped with a four-year ban by CAS after WADA challenged NADA's verdict to allow him to participate in Rio Games. Pic/Ajinkya Sawant
At a press conference yesterday to announce the first ever Vishwavijeta Gama Wrestling World Cup (VGWWC), the 27-year-old Narsingh was supposed to be present as one of the guests.
The organisers even printed the grappler's on the invitation card which was sent out to the media.
WFI secretary general Prasood
But little did they know that a banned athlete cannot be present for any such events. Add to the confusion, the announcement made was without any dates.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Secretary General VN Prasood said Narsingh can't promote any events because he's banned.
"On behalf of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), I agreed to be present at this event. Under the ban, Narsingh can't participate here, it is very clear. If he is here, then I am not allowed to share the dais with him," VN Prasood, Secretary General of WFI told mid-day on the sidelines of the event.
However, VGWWC organising committee Chairman Sandip Bhondve tried to evade the question, negating reasons that Narsingh's ban was responsible for his absence.
Narsingh âbusy'
"The ban on Narsingh Yadav is to restrict him from playing this game only. It has nothing to do with promoting wrestling. He is busy with his work in Delhi, that's why he is not here," said the former Maharashtra wrestler.
The round robin league of the competition will be played in India while the semifinals and final will be held in Dubai in December.
Around 100 freestyle wrestlers from 50 countries (two from each) in the 85kg to 125 kg weight category will compete for the Rs1 crore prize money along with a gold crown and a gold mace weighing one kilogram.
The top two Indian wrestlers from Hind-e-Mahabali competition will get a chance to participate in VGWWC.
