New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India on Monday announced an eight member women’s team to represent the country at the Vth Senior International Wrestling Tournament "Cup of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan" to be held at Astana (Kazakhstan) from 23- 26 July 2015.

The selection committee headed by WFI President and Member Parliament Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh selected the players on the basis of their performance during the trials conducted at the Sports Authority of India in Lucknow on 6 July 2015.

Some top Indian players will represent in this tournament including Commonwealth Games 2014 Gold Medalist Vinesh (48 Kg), Commonwealth Games 2014 Silver Medalist Lalita Sehrawat (55 Kg) and Commonwealth Championship 2011 Gold Medalist Sakshi Malik (58 Kg).

Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President Wrestling Federation of India said “The International Wrestling Tournament in Kazakhstan will be an ideal opportunity for our Women team to get international exposure before going into the World Championship. We will not leave any stone unturned in preparation of our wrestlers, as we want more and more female wrestlers to qualify for Rio Olympic Games from the first qualification event (World Wrestling Championship)”.

The tournament see participation from 20 nations including India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Japan, Korea, USA, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Brazil, China, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Sweden, Canada and Maldives.

The team is scheduled to depart for Kazakhstan on 21 July 2015 from New Delhi.

The list of players –

Vinesh (48 Kg), Nirmala Devi (53 Kg), Lalita (55 Kg), Sakshi Malik (58 Kg), Sarita (60 Kg), Anita (63 Kg), Navjot Kaur (69 Kg), Nikki (75 Kg)

The list of support staff –

Roin Doborjgde (Foreign Expert), Manjeet Rani (Coach), Subhash Bhardwaj (Coach) and Satya devi Malik (Referee).