Ahead of the upcoming Asian Games, taking place in India, despite the fears of the deadly coronavirus disease, The Wrestling Federation of India has received confirmation of assurance on Wednesday that the quarantined Chinese wrestlers will not be denied entry into the country for the Asian Games set to hold in the country [India].

There is tension about the spread of the virus, which has claimed over 490 lives as the Indian Government suspended the e-visa facility for Chinese travelers.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs has given the assurance that the Chinese Wrestlers can come into the country. The Wrestling Federation of India is expecting a 40- firm quota of Chinese Wrestlers to be at the championship, which will be held on the 18th of February – 23rd.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is the President of the W.F.I., has made a request saying the external affairs ministry should make sure that Visa approval should be granted to Pakistani Wrestlers as well.

Sharan said, “I have met and spoken with the Foreign Minister, and I am having faith in him that won’t be any problem. There is every possibility that wrestlers from both countries will be competing”.

Where further probed as regards the Chinese competing, he insisted and said: ” After the discussion, I’ve been given the assurance that there will be no problem.”

The Chinese Wrestling Association (C.W.A.) has gotten in touch with the W.F.I. Via writing requesting them to help with the grapplers to participate in the championship.

The request by the C.W.A. states that the 40 wrestlers have undergone a thorough checking, and none was tested positive for the virus and have been quarantined.

However, W.F.I. Insists the Chinese Wrestlers will have to go through the protocol set for virus detection.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi