Rebel Wrestling League Launched by Protesting Athletes to Challenge WFI Authority
In a bold move that shakes the foundations of Indian wrestling governance, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sangeeta Phogat have announced the formation of a rebel international professional wrestling league. The Orka Wrestling League (OWL) is scheduled to debut in November this year, directly challenging the established Pro Wrestling League (PWL) run by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
League Structure and Global Ambitions
Bajrang Punia, who will serve as the Chief Wrestling Officer (CWO), revealed that the inaugural edition will feature eight franchise-based global teams competing in a month-long tournament starting around November 20. The league represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between prominent wrestlers and the WFI leadership, particularly former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom they led landmark protests.
"We are coming up with our own international league," Bajrang confirmed from Sonepat. "All our brothers and sisters from the wrestling community are welcome to play. It will be a big event with huge sponsorship money involved, and the winning team and wrestlers will be handsomely rewarded."
Notable Participants and Format Details
The league is expected to attract several high-profile wrestlers who participated in the protests against Brij Bhushan, including:
- Two-time world championships medalist Vinesh Phogat
- Rio Olympics bronze winner Sakshi Malik
- 2016 Commonwealth champion Satyawart Kadian
Sangeeta Phogat has joined as Director of Women's Wrestling and Athlete Welfare, while USA-based Orka Sports serves as the major stakeholder in this ambitious venture.
Financial Framework and Competition Structure
The league introduces a comprehensive financial and competitive structure:
- Each franchise will have a purse of approximately Rs 4 crore to build their team
- Teams will consist of 12 wrestlers (6 men, 6 women) competing in Olympic weight categories
- Initial competitions will feature men's and women's freestyle events, with Greco-Roman to be added later
- An IPL-style auction is planned for late September or early October
The wrestler grading system includes four categories with corresponding base prices:
- Grade A: $35,000 (highest base price)
- Grade B: $25,000
- Grade C: $15,000
- Grade D: $6,000
Direct Challenge to WFI Authority
Bajrang made clear that the league represents a direct challenge to the WFI's authority: "We are not afraid of what the Wrestling Federation of India thinks about our league. If the WFI wants to look at our league from the point of rivalry or see it as a direct challenge to the PWL...then let it be. They can't stop us from running our league."
He emphasized the league's dual purpose of providing professional recognition and financial security to wrestlers, stating that "several India wrestlers are in touch, and they have expressed desire to compete."
WFI's Response and Potential Conflict
A top WFI office-bearer confirmed awareness of the development and indicated impending action: "This is an unsanctioned and illegal league. PWL is the WFI backed-official league. We will warn our coaches, technical officials and referees from tying up with that league."
The federation plans to issue directives to wrestlers enrolled with WFI to avoid participation in what they term an "unsanctioned and illegal" competition.
International Franchises and Bajrang's Personal Situation
The eight international franchises announced for the inaugural season include:
- Atlas Titans (USA)
- Indra Warriors (India)
- Neo-Tokyo Dragons (Japan)
- TrueNorth Titans (Canada)
- Libre Vanguard (Cuba)
- Britannia Brawlers (United Kingdom)
- Rio Rumble (Brazil)
- Arabian Titans (Middle East)
Bajrang confirmed he won't compete in the league due to his role as CWO and organizer. This decision comes amid his ongoing four-year ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials in March 2024. He has challenged the ban before Nada's Anti-Doping Appeal Panel, with proceedings currently underway.
The Orka Wrestling League represents not just a new sporting competition, but a significant assertion of athlete autonomy in Indian wrestling, setting the stage for a potentially transformative conflict in the sport's governance and commercial landscape.
