The federation needs to build trust with the wrestlers before anything else, says Lochab

With Railways hosting the Senior National Championships in Jaipur, Railways Sports Promotion Board secretary general Prem Chand Lochab was a busy man looking after the organising of the event.

- Avishek Roy

NEW DELHI: The three-day tournament was the first major 'sanctioned' domestic competition in more than a year.

"It was a long time that this championship was pending. The wrestlers were looking forward to the opportunity. They can apply for jobs or explore other opportunities. We have tried to give the best facilities to the wrestlers and technical officials," said Lochab.

Lochab has been in the spotlight recently, having won the post of general secretary in the highly charged Wrestling Federation of India elections. Known to have the backing of the protesting wrestlers, Lochab is an eyesore for rest of the WFI that still swears by the former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Differences have already cropped up between the high-ranking Railways official and the WFI that remains suspended by the sports ministry.

Lochab feels the way forward for the WFI is to first win the trust of the wrestlers

"Whatever happened in last one year was unfortunate. The wrestlers need to be given the confidence that this body is made for their welfare. They need support and the federation's role is to provide that support. The first objective should be to build trust," said Lochab.