The IOA ad hoc panel has reduced the upcoming Asian Games and World Championship selection to a one-bout competition for six protesting wrestlers, who will be required to beat just the winners of the trials to seal their places in the Indian teams for the two prestigious events.

The six wrestlers — Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian and Jitender Kinha — have not just got the exemption from appearing in the initial trials, they have also been promised that they will compete against the winners of the trials between August 5 and 15.

Interestingly, the wrestlers had requested the sports ministry to allow them to appear in the Asian Games trials in August because they are under-prepared for the competition due to their long-drawn protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges.

Elite wrestlers like Bajrang and Vinesh have been given exemptions by WFI from full trials in the past to protect them from injuries but never ever Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian and Jitender Kinha were considered for such a favour.

The ad hoc panel is required to hold the Asian Games trials before July 15 — the deadline to send the details of all Indian squads to the organisers.

IOC unhappy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concern over the IOA’s “unfortunate” delay in the appointment of CEO/secretary-general while also urging the IOA to address the issue affecting the country’s wrestling federation by “working closely” with the sport’s world body.

The IOC issued the strongly-worded statement during its executive board meeting on Wednesday, where it also received updates on the situations of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Afghanistan, Guatemala and Sudan besides India.