Terming it as a mistake, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday announced that the contracts of star grapplers Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik have been upgraded to Grade A from B.
When the WFI announced the contracts, both Sakshi and Sushil, Olympic medallists were given grade B contracts.
However, rectifying the error, an announcement to upgrade their contracts was made by WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday.
"With your support, we implemented the grading system for the players A, B, C, D, E and F grades.
"We all unanimously agreed that such players like Sushil (Kumar) and Sakshi Malik, who gave the country the first medal when Indias medal tally (at the Rio Olympics was empty) should not be kept in B grade," Singh said while explaining the WFI's change of mind.
"So I would like to admit that it was a mistake (on our part) and we are rectifying the mistake and are now including both the players (Sakshi and Sushil) to A grade, added the WFI President.
"After Singh's announcement in Grade A, there are five wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Pooja Dhanda, Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik. The players in Grade A will get Rs 30 lakh annually.
"Players did not complain about it (grades), neither the media did. But we have rectified the mistake," Singh informed.
Now there are no players in Grade B.