Shuttlers’ parents named in CWG contingent

NEWDELHI: Parents of ace Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal have been given the green signal by the government to accompany the Indian national badminton squad participating in next month’s Commonwealth Games, starting April 4 at Gold Coast.both Harvir Singh, father of Saina, and Vijaya Pusarla, mother of Sindhu, were cleared as contingent members on ‘no cost to government’ basis. It ended speculation of the two being dropped from the list of ‘extra officials’ as the government had earlier raised objection on parents’ inclusion.

The sports ministry on Monday cleared a contingent of 325 members, including 22 extra officials, as proposed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The full contingent comprises 221 athletes, 58 coaches, seven managers, 17 doctors and physiotherapists, and 22 extra officials.

Ronak Pandit, former international shooter and coach of pistol shooter Heena Sidhu, has also been given the go-ahead.

PENDING ISSUE

The participation of high jumper Siddharth Yadav and 400m runner Vijaykumari GK, hasn’t been confirmed by the organising committee, though the ministry has cleared their names. Last week their names were proposed during the manager’s meeting, but the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is yet to get confirmation on their current status from the organising committee. Ini- tially, AFI had fielded the entries of the duo after the deadline of March 7 and it was declined.

SREESHANKAR’S CWG DREAMS OVER

NEWDELHI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) might be trying to get his late entry in the Commonwealth Games but long jumper M Sreeshankar’s chances of taking part in the event got over after he was diagnosed with appendicitis. The 18-year-old is set to be operated in Palakkad.