EXCLUSIVE: Wrestler Sangram Singh feels Indian players can resume training from September

Sangram Singh said Indian wrestlers are strong and effect of coronavirus will come down after the rainy season. So, India can start the sport in September.

Hyderabad: COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world and brought public life to a standstill. Many players also got infected. But professional wrestler Sangram Singh believes India's Olympic bound wrestlers could resume training from September.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Sangram Singh said, "I think the Indian wrestlers are very strong and the effect of coronavirus will come down after the rainy season. So, in September they can start training."

However, he said that everything should be conducted with caution. "Check health of every player before the tournament. After checking the players, give them entry. Players who are not feeling well must not be allowed to take part. Make teams Who will keep a watch on the health of the players. See, if coronavirus continues like this for 4 years, then we can't stop the game. At the same time, no Indian player is corona positive, so holding matches can be considered," said Sangram Singh.

Asked what needs to do resume sports, he said that players should be kept under vigilance.

Regarding the differences with Yogeshwar Dutt, Sangram Singh said, "Yogeshwar protested against Salman Khan becoming Goodwill Ambassador during the 2016 Rio Olympics, on which I said in the media that Yogeshwar is wrong. Anyone can be a Goodwill Ambassador. But the media people twisted my statement which created a problem between us. But now everything is fine between us."

Since the pandemic entered India, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia and Ravi Kumar who qualified for the Olympics, couldn't practice. Wrestling is a body contact sport. So, the fear of getting infected is high among the wrestlers.