TEJASWIN NOW IN CWG SQUAD BUT AWAITS IOA’S FINAL CLEARANCE

NEW DELHI: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Friday informed the Delhi high court that high jumper Tejaswin Shankar was included in India’s team for the Commonwealth Games, subject to the Indian Olympic Association increasing the quota of the athletics contingent.

Shankar, who is studying in the United States, achieved the AFI qualification standard of 2.27m at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships at Eugene, Oregon recently, representing Kansas State University. However, AFI excluded him from the squad, saying neither the mark came in India nor he had asked for an exemption from competing at home. Shankar filed a writ petition in court challenging the AFI selection. The court had asked AFI to consider him.

AFI counsel Parth Goswami informed the high court on Friday that the selection committee met on Wednesday and picked five additional athletes, provided the IOA increased the quota. He said the AFI was given a quota of 36 athletes, and if the quota was not increased, the previously selected athletes will be the final squad.

“This court is hopeful that IOA would increase the quota so that all five additionally selected athletes are included in the CWG contingent,” said Justice Jasmeet Singh.

Besides Shankar, the four other athletes added are marathoners Bugatha Srinu and Anish Thapa, heptathlete Swapna Barman and 4X100m women’s relay member MV Jilna. Another contender, long jumper Jeswin Aldrin failed to find a place in the squad. Aldrin was impressive this year with a wind-assistance 8.37m coming at the Federation Cup in April. However, he has since failed to clear 8m in his last three meets.

The federation announced a 37-member squad on June 16 with AFI president Adille Sumariwalla requesting “the IOA to increase our quota by one and to assist in securing accreditation for a couple of athletes.”

However, Shankar’s inclusion still looks tough given that it will be a tall task for the IOA to provide additional quotas.

In the current scenario, Shankar’s hopes rest on the athletes selected by the AFI subject to proving their form and fitness. Among those who are on the brink are shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor discus throwers Seema Antil and Navjeet Kaur Dhillon, hammer thrower Sarita Singh, quartermiler, Amoj Jacob and race walker Bhawna Jat. The final date of sending entries is on June 29.