The Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, renowned for producing four of India’s six Olympic medalists in wrestling, has been marred by a string of violent incidents in recent years. The latest incident, an assault on a coach by a wrestler in the hostel, has raised concerns about the center’s safety and reputation.
The assault, which allegedly occurred at night, resulted in severe injuries to the coach, requiring 40 stitches. Despite the severity of the attack, the coach has refused to file a police complaint, claiming he fell off the stairs. However, sources within the center dispute this version of events.
The incident has revived memories of the murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankar at the stadium three years ago. Double Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar and his associates were arrested and charged with the crime, further tarnishing the image of the center.
Coaches at Chhatrasal allege that indiscipline and disobedience have become rampant within the facility, leading to frequent quarrels between staff and trainees. A lack of experienced coaches and administrative instability have also contributed to the decline of the center’s reputation.
Yogeshwar Dutt, a 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist, who trained at Chhatrasal, expressed concern about the lack of discipline at the center. He believes that the strictness of past coaches played a crucial role in the success of trainees, but that this has waned in recent times.
Despite the challenges, Chhatrasal continues to produce top wrestlers, including Aman Sehrawat, who recently won a Paris Olympics quota spot. The Delhi government has announced plans to hire more coaches and implement measures to improve accountability and discipline. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to restore the center’s former glory and ensure the safety and well-being of its trainees.
