UWW suspends Bajrang Punia; The SAI approves his training trip abroad, but the wrestler cancels the trip | More sports news

NEW DELHI: Bajrang Punia has been provisionally suspended by the World Wrestling Federation (UWW) till the end of this year in response to NADA’s decision to deny him a drug test.

Although the Sports Authority of India (SAI) was well aware of NADA’s verdict, it took the rather unexpected decision of imposing a sanction of nearly Rs 900,000 for his overseas training.

One of the country’s most accomplished wrestlers, Bajrang, received a residency permit on April 18 and was subsequently suspended by NADA on April 23.

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist defended himself by saying he never objected to his sample being provided for testing and that he simply asked the drug control officer to clarify why outdated kits were brought in to obtain his sample.

Bajrang told PTI that he had not received any communication from the UWW about his suspension, but the world body clearly mentioned that he was suspended while updating its internal system.

“Suspended until December 31, 2024 for the following reason,” the update on Bajrang’s profile reads.

The reason was “Provisionally suspended by NADO IND for alleged ADRV (anti-doping rule violation)”.

It is interesting to note that the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) was informed during its meeting on April 25 that Bajrang’s proposal to train in Dagestan, Russia from May 28 for Rs 8,82,000 plus the actual airfare was approved.

Bajrang’s original proposal was for a 35-day training trip starting April 24, but according to minutes of the MOC meeting, he decided to postpone travel plans from April 24, 2024 to May 28 due to “conflicting travel dates due to his lack of residency determination.” 2024.”

The proposal also included travel plans of his strength and conditioning coach Kaazi Kiron Mustafa Hasan and his sparring partner Jitender.

Neither Sandip Pradhan, director general of the SAI, nor Col Rakesh Yadav, joint managing director of TOPS, responded to calls or messages when PTI sought an explanation for the decision to approve his training.

Bajrang confirmed that he had submitted a proposal to the SAI for approval.

“I am also surprised that the SAI gave the approval. I have actually canceled my plan, I am not going anywhere for training now,” Bajrang said, adding that his lawyer has submitted the reply to NADA.

Sarita Mor, a competitor in the women’s 57kg category, was approved for Rs 5,96,000 during the same MOC session for her training trip to the US that began on May 5 with her spouse and coach Rahul Mann.

During the Asian qualifiers in Bishkek, Anshu Malik secured the quota for the women’s 57kg category at the Paris Olympics.

The training program conducted by Anshu, her father and trainer Dharamveer Malik in Japan was approved at a cost of Rs 14,67,000.

Sarita will have to defeat quota winner Anshu in the trials if WFI decides to host a final selection event.

(With PTI inputs)