Guwahati, May 4: The Assam Wrestling Academy administration here today appealed to the Sports Authority of Assam to make the academy, that fell defunct barely two months after it was opened on February 28, functional. It warned of legal recourse if necessary steps were not taken immediately.

The academy was shut down temporarily following paucity of funds after the SAA has already spent Rs 98 lakh barely two months ago. It was inaugurated at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on February 28 and later shifted to Nehru Stadium.

Chief technical adviser of the academy Binud Kumbang was entrusted with the responsibility of selecting talented wrestlers by conducting assessment camps in 11 districts from which 40 trainees - 20 male and 20 female - were selected for the first session.

"I have selected these students. Most of them got admitted to schools here. I will wait till the election results are out and speak with whoever forms the new government. Even after that if the academy doesn't resume, I will have to take legal recourse," Kumbang said today.

The trainees, most of whom are from an economically modest background, protested in front of the Assam directorate of sports here last week following which they were handed a letter by the SAA secretary Anjan Sarma mentioning "the academy has been closed down because of paucity of funds". When contacted, sports minister Ajit Singh said: "I am not aware of what is happening in the Assam Wrestling Academy. I will have to look into the matter and take necessary action."

Commissioner of sports Ajay Tiwari, on the other hand, refused to discuss the issue. "I have nothing to say. No comment. The department is looking into the matter."