Selected for Rio Olympics but not allowed to participate in World University Games
Ace shooter Apurvi Chandela may have got a direct entry into the Rio Olympics Games next year after winning a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle women event at the ISSF world cup in Changwon, South Korea but she is being denied participation at the World University Games to be held at South Korea in July.
Chandela, a student of Delhi University’s Jesus and Mary College, could not attend the trial for the World University Games because she was abroad to represent the country at various events.
The decision was reportedly taken by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The trial was conducted Punjab University in Patiala. The World University Games are scheduled from July 3-14 in Gwangju City, South Korea.
“Chandela will be back to the country by June 3 and she had also said that she would be available to play for the university games. Now AIU has decided not to consider the participation,” said a senior university official.
The university has written a letter to the AIU’s secretary general (sports), joint secretary and even to the vice chancellor of Punjabi University to consider her case.
But sources said that her case is not being given importance and the body has already finalised the list.
“When outside the country, she is being given direct participation to Rio Olympics, then why in her own country she is being denied privilege,” said Anju Luthra, sports teacher at Jesus and Mary College.
However when HT contacted the AIU, the body said it was not aware of the situation.
“I am not aware of the issue since the trial was being held at Punjabi University. If this is the case I will try to find about it,” said Gurdeep Singh, joint secretary (sports) AIU.