The initiative will ensure that wrestlers get access to world-class training facilities, and internationally reputed coaches.
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Indian automobile company Tata Motors have announced that they have strengthened their partnership with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to launch a new initiative for athletes to prepare as best as they can for the 2014 Paris Olympics. The initiative will be called ‘Quest for gold at Paris Olympics 2024’ and it will ensure that young wrestlers get access to world-class training facilities, internationally reputed coaches, and support through a rich nutritional programme. The initiative will also cover wrestlers of all genders and across all age groups. Through this scheme, eligible senior wrestlers will be offered central contracts while the younger ones are supported through various scholarships that will have insurance cover along with medical and physiotherapy assistance. The scheme was announced in a press conference organised by Tata and WFI on Friday.
The young wrestlers, also dubbed ‘Yoddhas’, will have access to the best facilities so that their growth and development in the sport is unhindered. The main goal of the scheme, as is evident by its name, is to ensure that the potential participants in the sport for the 2024 Paris Olympics are developed and well-trained as possible. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, President of the WFI, thanked Tata Motors for their continued support in the sport and underlined the accolades won by Indian wrestlers throughout the duration of the partnership so far.
“Tata Motors’ committed support since 2018 has helped Indian wrestling grow to greater heights. In the last 3 years, our ‘Yodhas’ has won more than 40-50 medals at international competitions including, 5 medals at the Senior World Wrestling championships, highest ever for India, record 11 medals at the just-concluded Junior World Championship, and 2 medals at the recently held Tokyo Olympics. The Cadet Wrestling Team, too, won its first title of the World Championship. The launch of our joint quest today should enable us to fulfil the entire nation’s longstanding aspiration of winning an Olympics Gold medal in wrestling at the next Paris Olympics in 2024,” the WFI President said.
Tata Motors also honoured the successful Indian wrestling team that participated in the Tokyo Olympics. Olympic Silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya, bronze medallist Bajrang Punia along with fellow ‘Yodhas’, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Seema Bisla, Deepak Punia and Vinesh Phogat were present in-person to support the quest and receive their Tata Yodha pick-up.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors said that they would help WFI to promote, train, and foster the great pool of talent India has in the sport.
“The sport of wrestling is deep-rooted across India and enjoys a rich legacy of success in the global arena. Popular and followed by all sections of society, its machismo, aggression and endurance tests speed, agility and power. These virtues perfectly mirror the longevity, durability and robust performance of our commercial vehicles that are much valued by our customers both in India as well as international markets. Through our steadfast association with WFI, we will continue to promote, train and foster the nation’s rich wrestling talent. At Tata Motors, we believe in supporting the sport and sportspeople who will take our country ahead with their potential, zeal and passion. To ensure that our talented wrestlers have ready access to all that is required to realise their immense potential, further hone their skills and bring home the coveted Olympic Gold in 2024, we are making our ongoing partnership with WFI more holistic and purposeful. I wish the federation and our wrestlers the very best in this quest for the Gold at Paris Olympics 2024,” he said.
