Sports Ministry clears Wrestlers Abroad Training - India

File Photo of Bhajrang Punia & Vinesh Phogat addressing Press & News Media in public

Sports Ministry approves the training tours for Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who had sought time till August 10. They are set to leave for Kyrgystan and Hungary respectively, which is also a clear indication that they will not part of the ensuing protest.

The duo were at the forefront of the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The wrestlers had sent their proposals a few days back for their training schedule to prepare for Asian Games and World Championship trials. The wrestlers are set to leave in the first week of July, which they had announced a few days back on social media.

Vinesh will be travel to Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan) for a week and then to Tata, a town in Hungary for a total of 18 days of training. She will be supported by physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil, coach Sudesh and sparring partner Sangeeta Phogat (Punia's wife, who was also one of the protesters), who will be accompanying the wrestler in her training.

Bajrang Punia is set towards Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan for 36 days, along with his coach Sujeet Maan, physiotherapist Anuj Gupta, sparring partner Jitender Kinha, along with strength and conditioning expert Kaazi Hasan in the wrestler's training tour.

The expenses of Patil, Gupta and Hasan will be borne by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a non-profit sports promotion foundation.