'Sushil has been ill-advised on this issue'

BySUSAN NINAN
June 2, 2016, 7:26 AM

— -- We asked some prominent former and current sportsmen, including those who've competed at the Olympics, for their view on the Sushil-Narsingh issue. Here's what they had to say:

V Baskaran (Former India hockey captain)

I don't think there is any justification for trials at this point. Narsingh has already qualified and it's unfair to ask him to appear for trials two months before the Olympics. The WFI is also at fault here for not clarifying the matter with Sushil. Sushil is undoubtedly an incredible wrestler but to go to court and demand trials at this juncture after having stayed away from competitions for close to two years is totally unacceptable. There's no scope for sympathy here.

Jaideep Mukerjea (Former India Davis Cup captain)

Narsingh has won the quota, so he should go to Rio. There is no scope for debate here. As an athlete I completely disagree with going to court over participating in competitions. I think Sushil has been ill-advised on this issue. He should have tried to sort the issue amicably with the federation. If trials are held I think it would be outright unfair. No individual is bigger than the sport.

Akhil Kumar (Boxer)

The question here is, who's the athlete who is seeking trials? It's a two-time Olympic medallist. Sushil is only asking for trials between him and Narsingh to determine the better wrestler, he's not demanding that he be sent for the Olympics. It's a just request. I think any athlete of Sushil's stature would have acted in a similar manner. He has brought glory to the country in the past and this could well be his last chance to feature in an Olympics. So if he wants to be offered a chance to represent the country one last time what's wrong in that?

V Devarajan (Boxer)

Sushil is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced. He has nothing left to prove. To look to deny a younger compatriot who has won a quota spot, his place at the Olympics, taking to social media pleading for support and approaching the court for a trial bout is unbecoming of a champion of his stature.

Ashwini Nachappa (Athlete)

I don't think an exception should be made for any athlete with regard to Olympic qualification. This is not to say that Sushil isn't a great athlete. But in all fairness, rules should be followed. It happened to us also at the Olympic Games in 1988. It was known which athletes would run the relay but that was changed at the last minute in the Olympic Village. It was not right. It's disheartening for athletes who have won through the system that's in place and have qualified on merit.

Sanjeev Rajput (Shooter)

If trials were not a condition preset by the WFI, I don't think any good will come out of conducting them at this juncture. It's totally the WFI's prerogative though. The wrestler who is in the best form and most capable of winning a medal should go for the Olympics.