Minister
of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated today i.e. 29th
December, 2015 the 60th Senior Men Free Style, Greco Roman Style and
18th Female Senior National Wrestling Championships
under the aegis of Wrestling Federation of India at Indra Gandhi Stadium Complex (IGSC), New Delhi. The
tournament is being hosted by Indian Railways (Railway Sports Promotion
Board - RSPB). The Championship is being organized from 29th to 31st
December, 2015. The Championship preparation starts from 28th
December, 2015. Earlier, Indian
Railways had organized Senior National Championship in March, 1991 at
DLW/Varansi.
On this occasion, Minister of State for Railways
Shri Manoj Sinha was specially present as a Guest of Honour. Member Staff,
Railway Board and President RSPB Shri Pradeep Kumar, Secretary, RSPB Ms. Rekha
Yadav, President, Wrestling Federation of India and Member of Parliament Shri
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, other Railway Board Members were among those present
on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways
Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Indian Railways is committed to the promotion of
sports and games in the country. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Indian Railways
has also been in the forefront in promoting sports and games for women in the
country. Referring to the wrestling Shri Suresh Prabhu said that it is
connected with our ancient traditions and we have achieved good results in this
game at international level also.
In his speech, Minister of State for Railways
Shri Manoj Sinha said that the wrestling has been a game of ancient tradition
in the country and has moved from rural areas to the urban areas. He said that
sports and games are not only means of employment but also provide self respect
and good health. He pointed out that Indian Railways has encouraged sports and
games in a big way especially for the women.
The competition will be held in the following
weight categories:
Free Style : 8 weight
categories- 57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 86, 97 & 125
Greco Roman Style : 8 weight categories- 59,
66, 71, 75, 80, 85, 98 & 130
Female Wresting : 8 weight categories-
48, 53, 55, 58, 60, 63, 69 & 75
Wrestling
is the only individual sport where India won back to back medals in Olympics.
Railways boasts of some of the prominent wrestlers of the country. Shri Sushil
Kumar was awarded Arjun Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padamshree
Award being the part of Indian Railways. With more than 1200 Wrestlers and
officials participating in this event from 30 State/ UT including 2 Boards
(Railways and Services), this is one of the biggest sporting event in the
National Calender.
Wrestling,
a very popular sport wherein most of the wrestlers belong to Northern part of
the country especially from Haryana. The championship is being organized in
Delhi after 20 years. A very large number of spectators from Haryana and NCR is
expected in this championship.
Normal
composition of the team is of maximum 8 wrestlers in each Free Style, Greco
Roman Style and Female Wrestling i.e. one player for each weight category.
Details of expected no. of players is also enclosed herewith.
Following
Units are eligible to enter 2 Wrestlers per weight categories keeping in view
their past performance in the last 2014 Senior National Wrestling Championship:
1. Free
Style : RSPB, Haryana & SSCB
2. Greco
Roman Style: SSCB, RSPB & Haryana
3. Female :
Haryana, UP & MP
Following
Star Wrestlers of Indian Railways Shri Bajrang, Shri Rahul Aware, Shri Sandeep
Tulsi Yadav, Shri Satyawart Kadian, Ms. Lalita Sehrawat, Ms. Navjot Kaur and
Ms. Sakshi Malik are going to participate in this championship
Women
Wrestling team has been raised for the first time in Railways. Last Year Indian
Railways Women Wrestling Team participated in the Senior National Women
Wrestling Championship with 3 women wrestlers and won two Gold and one Silver.
This year 8 women wrestler from IR is going to participate in Senior National.
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AKS/MKV/MN/DK