His chances of a third successive Olympic appearance hanging in balance, two-time medallist Sushil Kumar may move Court as last resort if his request for a trial against Narsingh Pancham Yadav is not accepted by the Wrestling Federation of India.
Sushil has already taken the matter to the doorsteps of Prime Minister's Office but is yet to get a response from the government.
"We are still awaiting a response. Sushil has asked for a meeting with the Prime Minister and we are waiting for a reply. Expecting that the government would respond to Sushil's appeal," a well-placed source close to the double Olympic medallist said.
"Sushil is hoping to get a call for a trial and doesn't want to go to court. But the option of moving the court can't be ruled out if the matter is not resolved," he added.
Sushil has appealed to the Prime Minister, IOA, Sports Ministry, Wrestling Federation of India and the fans to give him a chance to undergo a trial for the Rio Games.
Besides sending a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting for a meeting with him, and urging the Sports Ministry, IOA and WFI, Sushil also uploaded a video message with a hash tag 'Justice4Sushil', where has appealed to the fans on his Facebook and Twitter page to support him to undergo a trial with Narsingh in men's 74kg freestyle.
Today Sushil has uploaded another video, where he is seen to be training hard, with a message reading "Even in this hour of uncertainty, I am not shying away from working hard. Decision is yours." His appeal has got a tremendous response from the fans in the last two days.
According to the rules, a quota belongs to the country and not to a particular wrestler.
"Sushil is getting the support of people from every nook and corner of the country as he is not wrong in asking for a trial. Whoever is best in any category should represent the country at the Olympics. So, between Sushil and Narsingh, whoever wins the trial in 74kg should go to Rio," the source said.
Narsingh has been staking his claim to represent India at the Olympics since last year when he had secured a quota place at the World Championship in Las Vegas after winning a bronze in 74kg. While Sushil, who missed the event due to a shoulder injury, has been demanding a trial.
WFI has been giving hints that it is not too keen on holding the trial in 74kg as it might prompt a few other wrestlers to demand trials in other weight divisions as well.
Keen to avoid any trouble, WFI had asked the Sports Ministry to take a call. However, the Ministry had put the ball back into the Federation's court.
