Wrestler Bajrang Punia’s coach Shako to take 30 per cent pay cut

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 4

Three-time World Championships medallist and Asian Games champion Bajrang Punia’s personal coach Shako Bentinidis has been told that he needs to take a 30 per cent pay cut. Bentinidis flew out of India in March and has been assisting Bajrang through video calls and chats ever since.

As per his contract, the Georgian coach’s pay works out to around $6,500 (around Rs 5 lakh) per month. He has also been provided an apartment in Sonepat on a monthly rent of Rs 25,000. The salary cut would be around $2000, a little over Rs 1.5 lakh. His accommodation would also be withdrawn.

Bentinidis was informed about the pay cut during a correspondence about non-payment of his salary for the months of May and June.

“I am Ok with the decision but I am not happy about it. I understand that we all are facing a difficult period right now and such decisions need to be taken,” Bentinidis told The Tribune on Thursday.

In fact, according to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Bentinidis could face a further reduction in his salary.

“He has a hefty salary. We have already told him about the pay cut but if things don’t improve and he can’t return to India, we will be forced to cut his salary further,” WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said.

Strangely, the other foreign coaches working with Indian wrestlers — Greco-Roman coach Temo Kazarashvili and women’s team coach Andrew Cook — will be paid full salaries. They are on the payroll of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and have been assisting with various online coaching courses being run during the lockdown.

Bentinidis was surprised when he learnt that he was the only one amongst the wrestling coaching staff whose salary is being cut.

“Nobody asked me to do online training. I could have done it too. This is about respect and respect only. I don’t have any grouse with (sponsors) TATA or WFI but I don’t know how they would cut my salary further,” he said.

“My old father, my brother’s family and my sister’s family are all dependent on me. There are no jobs here (Georgia) too. Don’t know what will happen. Bajrang is like my son, he is my brother and my friend and I have promised a big medal from him so I will do everything that is possible to achieve that. As far as my salary is concerned, we will talk with them (WFI), let's see what happens,” he added.