Government has assured entry to Chinese wrestlers for Asian Championship: WFI

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday said it has got assurance from the central government that "quarantined" Chinese grapplers will not be denied entry into the country for the upcoming Asian Championship despite fears surrounding the deadly coronavirus.

The Indian government has suspended the e-visa facility for the Chinese travellers, fearing the spread of the virus which has claimed 490 lives so far.

The WFI, though, is expecting a 40-strong contingent from China at the Championship, scheduled to be held here from February 18 to 23 after receiving assurance from the external affairs ministry.

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said they have requested the external affairs ministry to ensure that visa is granted to wrestlers from Pakistan as well.

"Today, I met the foreign minister and I'm extremely hopeful there will be no problem. There is possibility of wrestlers from both the countries competing," Sharan said.

"He has assured me that there will be no problem. After the discussion I don't think there is going to be any problem," he insisted.

The Chinese Wrestling Association (CWA) has written to the WFI, requesting them to help out with the participation of their grapplers in the championship.

"China's federation sent us a request letter saying that 40 grapplers have been checked and none of them have been tested positive for the virus. They have been quarantined," Bhushan said.

The senior WFI though made it clear that the Chinese wrestlers will have to go through the protocol set for the virus detection.

"All the wrestlers who will participate will go through all the precautionery measures," he said.

Sharan also asserted that no wrestler can refuse to grapple with their Chinese rivals, if the Chinese are found to be unaffected by the virus.

"This problem is only in 1-2 cities in China and not the entire country and if the wrestlers go through all the tests in China and then again clear the tests by our government then no player can say s/he has come from here and we won't fight with them."