WFI 'floors' former Asian champion

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has denied Kartar Singh, a former Asian Games heavyweight champion, permission to participate in the World Veteran Wrestling Championships, beginning October 1 in Bosnia.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has denied Kartar Singh, a former Asian Games heavyweight champion, permission to participate in the World Veteran Wrestling Championships, beginning October 1 in Bosnia.

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Kartar, along with four other wrestlers were keen to compete in the weeklong event, but the federation directed the concerned embassy to not grant travel documents to Kartar as he had been barred from all activities related to wrestling.

"Since he (Kartar) has been expelled from wrestling, he can't represent the country," said WFI secretary-general Raj Singh. Kartar, according to him, will be able to compete in international meets only after his ban is revoked.

Kartar, who has been winning medals in the veterans' group for two decades, contended that the six-year ban imposed this year was unconstitutional. According to him, some individuals wanted to teach him a lesson since he had contested elections against the federation's officer bearers.

"The federation's focus should be on promoting the sport and not discouraging it," he said.