Ravi Dhaliwal
Bathinda, October 5
The Wrestling Federation of India (IWF) will be organising an international prize money tournament - the first of its kind in Punjab - at Jalandhar from October 30 to November 1. Confirming this, Kartar Singh, Secretary General of the IWF, said that all big names from top wrestling nations will be taking part in the three day sporting extravaganza. The tournament is being held in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
The Wrestling Federation of India (IWF) will be organising an international prize money tournament - the first of its kind in Punjab - at Jalandhar from October 30 to November 1. Confirming this, Kartar Singh, Secretary General of the IWF, said that all big names from top wrestling nations will be taking part in the three day sporting extravaganza. The tournament is being held in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
Kartar added that grapplers from 11 countries, including those from Canada, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have been invited for the meet. A significant feature of the tourney is that the organisers have also invited two teams from Pakistan. Apart from this the Indians will be fielding four teams each in the men’s and women categories.
Countries like Uzbekistan, Canada and Kazakhstan will be fielding wrestlers who took part in the 2008 Beijing and 2004 Athens Olympics while India’s challenge will be spearheaded by Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar.
Kartar added that Olympic wrestlers of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan had a hectic schedule and despite this, both countries will be sending their top grapplers in all weight categories. Kartar said that wrestlers from Nigeria, Wales, England and Chinese Taipie have also confirmed their presence in the meet.
He added that a proper invitation had been sent to the Chinese who, however, have declined to send their grapplers. The tournament carries a total prize money of Rs 30 lakhs. Wrestlers standing first in their respective weight categories will be handed over $ 2000 each while those standing second will be given $1000 each. Grapplers finishing third in their respective weight categories will be given $500each.
The organisers will be paying for the transportation, boarding and lodging of all the foreign players. All the four Indian teams in both the men and women categories will be selected on the basis of the forthcoming senior national wrestling championship slated to be held in Bhopal. 
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