Alka Tomar of MTNL (in blue ) overpowers Anita of Jharkhand to win the women’s title in the final match in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Jan. 12: The Wrestling Federation of India today imposed a ban on akhara kusti (mud wrestling) and warned state associations of disciplinary action if they were found promoting the traditional form of the sport. The decision of the country’s apex wrestling body came during the 49th Men’s and 6th Women’s National Wrestling Championship, which concluded here today.

The federation said state associations found promoting akharas, would be warned. If the association ignored the warning, then it would be banned. “We will provide the mats. Now on, all wrestlers will have to practise only on mats and it will be the responsibility of the state associations to ensure that,” said federation president and Haryana director-general of police M.S. Malik.

The federation was planning to ban akhara kusti for a long time and had sought the opinion of the wrestlers. However, some of the members of the federation were divided over the issue. They felt that the wrestling body should think it over.

“We have been deliberating on the matter for quite some time. Some of our promising wrestlers have been telling us to do so. Not practising on mats has cost Indian wrestling dearly in the international arena. This will help improve the performance both on the domestic turf as well as international competitions,” Malik said.

The federation has decided to provide the mats even at the village-level on subsidised rates. “It is time that Indian wrestlers start practising on mats right from the village-level. The federation will provide all required support to implement the idea. Initially, we will provide mats to wrestlers in villages on subsidised rates,” he added.

But the decision has evoked a mixed response from the wrestlers and their coaches. While some welcomed the move, others were against it. Chief coach of the Punjab wrestling team Amarnath Sharma said akharas were connected with the sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims. “The akharas have a sentimental attachment to both the communities. This is our traditional sport. The conventional form of wrestling is the identity of Indians. Banning akharas is unhealthy,” he told The Telegraph.

Arjuna Award winner Kripa Shanker Patel of the Railways, who bagged a gold in the championship on Saturday, however, welcomed the move and said the decision came very late as Indian wrestling had already suffered in the international arena. “This decision should have been taken long time ago. We have the strength, resources and will power but when we compete in other countries, we lack the technique,” Patel said.