Wrestling federation finds team sponsor

NEW DELHI: It was happy tidings for the Wrestling Federation of India which has found a team sponsorship. ”We are on the final stage of a deal with a corporate for team sponsorship, and it will be inked in the next 10 to 15 days,” GS Mander, president of the federation told SportzPower on the sidelines of a press meet to announce the test event for the CWG.

However, he requested not to be pressed for the details right now, as the talks are going on.

Mander said that federation is also looking for marketing and promotion of wrestling.

“We are now financially sound, so our next target is to promote wrestling in India and also try to collect some funding through marketing”, said Mander.

Mander announced the details of the Senior Asian Free Style, Greco Roman Style and Female Wrestling Championship.

This championship will be held in the wrestling stadium in Indira Gandhi Sports Complex from 12 to 16 May.

When asked about expenditure for the championship, Mander said that it’s difficult to give an exact figure, because too many agencies are working together. “The OC provides the highest volume of the finances and the rest is being spent by the federation itself,” he said.

“I think the total cost of championship will come to more than Rs 10 mn,” said Mander. In this championship a total 257 grapplers from 21 countries will participate.

Mander was confident that Indian grapplers will shine in the event. "This is a big tournament.”

“We are leaving no stone unturned to make it successful. I hope that the Indians will put up good performances in the event,” he added.

We are participating in all the categories," said Mander. "Wrestling is very strong in Asia and a very high level of competition is expected,” he stressed.
The Commonwealth Games are coming up and then there will be the Asian Games, which is the other big targets ahead of us," Mander added. Wrestling world body FILA president Raphael Martinetti along with a large number of FILA officials will supervise the event, he revealed.

Doordarshan will live telecast of the competition – a test event for the CWG event in October on all five days.

He admitted that the wrestling stadium is not 100 per cent complete, but added: “These things happen and everything will be in place before the championship,” he stressed.