Federation squabble floors gymnasts
NEWDELHI: Infighting between two factions in the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) has surfaced again ahead of next month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (CWG). An amicable solution isn’t in sight as records of office-bearers with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) differ.
After India’s Rio Olympics high, where Dipa Karmakar was a creditable fourth in women’s vault to raise the country’s stock in gymnastics, administrative mess has hit the sport. India’s disappointing show in the 2017 World Championships was a pointer in the downward slide.
Since the sports ministry de-recognised GFI in 2012, to field a team for CWG, IOA held trials here on February 12-14. But it sparked a controversy.
The faction recognised by FIG, whose president is Sudhakar Shetty and secretarygeneral Ranjeet Vasava, made changes in the national team, particularly in the men’s section, selected by IOA. In a communication to IOA, the world body said, “It is the prerogative of the national gymnastics federation to field the team for CWG and not IOA.” It made IOA’S efforts to pick a team redundant.
In 2015, the Delhi High Court ordered fresh elections to GFI. Shetty and S Shantikumar Singh were elected president and secretary-general respectively. Documents in the possession of Hindustan Times show IOA had communicated the result to the world body and it was confirmed by FIG secretary-general Andre F Guelsbuhler on September 3.
However, FIG website shows Shetty as president and Ranjit Vasava as general secretary.
The development took IOA by surprise. “We don’t know how it happened. The world body claims IOA had communicated to them in 2016, but I don’t know who did it,” said IOA secretarygeneral Rajiv Mehta. “We haven’t been able to trace the communication.”
Shetty, a Mumbai businessman, is incommunicado. Even Mehta hasn’t interacted with him in the last two years. “Due to his absence, the issue hasn’t been solved,” said Mehta.
When this correspondent called Shetty’s office in Mumbai, the reply was, “The president is unavailable.” Despite leaving a message, Shetty didn’t call back.
The Shetty faction, which includes Vasava, is holding a national meet in Surat from March 22 while the other faction held a nationals in February.
Samir Deb, a former nationallevel coach from Chandigarh, said CWG is a good platform to make an impression. “Winning a medal in Asian Games is like podium finish in Olympics.”
In 2010 Delhi CWG, Ashish Kumar opened up a new chapter by winning two medals—silver in vault and bronze in floor exercises. That year, he also won bronze in the floor event at the Asian Games. But four years on, he failed to impress in Glasgow.
Before the 2014 CWG, Sports Authority of India set up an ad-hoc panel with Gurdial Singh Bawa, a former chief coach, as head of coaching staff. Deb said since national meets were not held for four years, fresh talent wasn’t spotted. “If the national team is selected via trials, it’s a big drawback,” he added.