Carelessness robs Gurjar of possible medal in javelin
CHANDIGARH: Going by para-athlete Sundar Gurjar’s form, India could have won two medals in F46 javelin throw at the Paralympic Games at Rio on Tuesday. Devendra Jhajharia won gold.
The casual approach of Gurjar cost India a second medal as he didn’t report to the call room despite repeated calls, and thereby was disqualified.
The event was scheduled for 6pm (Rio time) on Tuesday and athletes were supposed to reach the call room at 4pm. Despite reaching the stadium at 3.30pm, Gurjar didn’t turn up at the call room when the third and final call was made.
As per a member of the Indian contingent, Gurjar was giving an interview to a foreign journalist and getting photographed when the final call was made. By the time he reached the call room, registration was closed and officials didn’t allow him to participate.
Gurjar’s personal coach, Mahavir Saini, also didn’t bother to check the process of registration before the event.
Till November last, Gurjar was competing in the general category and won a junior national gold. But he lost his left hand in an accident and shifted to para sports. He achieved the mark of 68.42m at the national meet in Panchkula in May, which was four metres more than Jhajharia’s throw for gold on Tuesday.
“It is a great loss. We were confident of Gurjar’s gold. What was coach Mahavir Saini doing there? Was he not supposed to assist Gurjar with the formalities,” questioned Dronacharya awardee RD Singh, who introduced Gurjar to para sports.
Earlier on Monday, during Deepa Malik’s shot put event, an athlete was not allowed to participate as she was late by a few minutes. Despite this, officials with the Indian contingent, especially chef-de-mission SS Chhabra, secretary, Sports Authority of India (SAI), didn’t inform athletes about the formalities. There are four SAI officials and one from the sports ministry in Rio.
“It was carelessness on the part of Gurjar and his coach Mahavir Saini. For what purpose have SAI officials gone to Rio,” questioned an Indian para-athlete.
“The player should be informed a day before about the formalities and the chef-de-mission should be there at the call room to assist athletes and check whether they have reached on time,” said another athlete.