Indian wrestling legend Kartar Singh handed six-year ban by WFI

Kartar Singh (2nd from left). Image courtesy: sportswire4u.blogspot.in

He is one of the legends of Indian wrestling. Ask any young aspiring grappler and none of them will deny that they have not heard of this man. Kartar Singh is a big name in Indian wrestling – his trophy or medals cabinet at his Punjab home will be a pointer to that.

Save for the Olympics, Kartar has invariably made a podium finish in every major event. He has won two gold medals at the Asian Games – first at the 1978 Bangkok Asiad in the 90-kg freestyle category and then at the 1986 Seoul Asiad in the 100-kg freestyle category.

Of course, he endured a mild disappointment when he failed to take the gold in front of his home fans at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, having to settle for a silver medal in the 90-kg freestyle category.

Even at the Commonwealth Games, Kartar has also hogged the limelight. He scooped up a bronze medal in the 1978 Commonwealth Games held in Edmonton in the 90-kg freestyle category before improving on that, picking up a silver medal in the 90-kg freestyle category in the 1982 Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane.

Even at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Kartar scripted an impressive performance, finishing seventh among the world’s elite grapplers.

An Arjuna Awardee in 1982 and Padma Shri winner in 1987, Kartar Singh is a respected name in Indian wrestling circles.

But the legendary wrestler courted a major controversy after he was accused of defying the orders of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and International Federation (FILA) regarding the postponement of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Wrestling Tournament 2012. Kartar apparently corresponded directly with FILA and the Government of India by ignoring the WFI and conducted a sham tournament where none of the top Indian wrestlers or any wrestlers from other national federations participated.

The legendary wrestler, who is a former WFI secretary general, was also accused by the WFI of collecting huge sponsorship amount of over Rs. 1 crore for the said tournament.

It is learnt that the WFI has given many opportunities to explain his position but Kartar refused to submit the audited accounts to WFI.

So, the WFI’s Disciplinary Committee, headed by senior vice president I D Nanavati, arrived at a conclusion that the so-called Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Wrestling Tournament held in February 2012 was basically for his personal gain and not for promotion of wrestling.

Given his unbecoming behaviour, the WFI’s Disciplinary Committee, has served a six-year ban on Kartar, which was approved by its general council.

It remains to be seen how the legendary wrestler responds to the six-year ban.