Ministry denies allegations of influencing IWF selection trial

Wed, Jul 16 05:44 PM

New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Sports Ministry today described allegations of Government influencing the outcome of weightlifting selection trials for Beijing Olympics in Bangalore as "irresponsible". Shailaja's sister Ambika had alleged that Monika Devi was selected for Beijing Games yesterday after some "information was sent by Sports Ministry" while Shailaja herself said IWF Secretary B R Gulati had told her that "some directive came from the Sports Ministry and that had clinched the issue for Monika".

An IWF selection committee member also admitted that the Ministry had issued some "restrictive guidelines" to be strictly followed during the trials. The official admitted that Shailaja (75 kg) indeed fared better than Monika (69kg) in the re-trials.

But Sport Ministry Joint Secretary I Srinivas said it was an irresponsible allegation by the weightlifter. "If she has made the allegations what can I say? It is not imperative for the Sports Ministry to respond to such irresponsible allegations," Srinivas told PTI. "I don't think there is any need to sensationalise the matter.

If anyone makes allegations, Sports Ministry cannot keep responding to him/her," he added. PTI.

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