Nidhish Waghmare
Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda, the country’s first female U-23 world champion and a qualifier for the heavyweight 76kg division at the upcoming Paris Olympics, is embroiled in a last-minute struggle to secure a visa for her coach Mandeep.
Request for Coach’s Visa Goes Unanswered
Hooda submitted a request to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in May to allow her coach and physiotherapist to travel with her to Paris. However, her request has yet to be approved, leaving her frustrated and her training disrupted. While the IOA has reportedly approved travel coaches for other qualified wrestlers, Hooda remains the sole exception.
“I was surprised to see that everyone has been assigned travel with a personal coach,” Hooda told PTI. “Antim [Panghal] has been sanctioned both her coaches and I have not been given even one.”
Mixed Messages from the IOA
Adding to Hooda’s confusion, the IOA has provided conflicting information. When contacted, Ajay Narang, who handles IOA President PT Usha’s office, claimed they never received Hooda’s request. However, Narang offered a different solution, suggesting Hooda apply directly for her coach’s visa with the IOA’s help in expediting approval from the French embassy.
The problem? Without a recommendation letter from the IOA, Hooda’s visa application is unlikely to be considered. The IOA has yet to issue this crucial document.
Wrestling Federation and Coach Seek Solutions
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has also intervened, with President Sanjay Singh expressing his surprise at the delay. Singh confirmed his discussions with IOA officials and vowed to continue advocating for Hooda. “This is not the time when she should be struggling with all this,” Singh said.
Mandeep, Hooda’s coach, has also taken the initiative, reaching out to the Reliance Foundation, which is already providing Hooda with physiotherapist Shruti Gharat. However, their efforts are hampered by the lack of a recommendation letter, a document only obtainable through the IOA.
With the wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics set to begin on August 5th, time is running out for Hooda to resolve this visa issue. The stress of this situation is undoubtedly impacting her ability to focus on training and prepare mentally for the biggest competition of her career.
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