Irregularities in selection may cost India Asiad berth
ted that there were only two judges, but said it was not something that was in his control. “It is NEW DELHI: Allegations of intenimmaterial whether I was in Test tionally bending rules to include A or Test B,” he added. certain riders into the national In show jumping, the allegateam may result in India missing tion is that Chetan Reddy comout at the equestrian events at peted as an HC (“hors concours” this year’s Jakarta Asian Games, or out of competition) entry in a according to people familiar with selection event. An HC rider, as the developments. per norms, cannot be considered
The Equestrian Federation of for selection. But when the team India (EFI) secretary-general RK was announced, Reddy’s name Swain had announced a sevenwas on it. member squad on June 4. But People familiar with the develwithin 24 hours, its president Lt. opments said another allegation Gen Ashok Ambre reversed the was that the EFI told riders who decision after some riders alleged had cleared the dressage trials at that there had been gross irreguthe last minute that these compelarities in the selection process. titions would not be considered as
There is now a possibility the part of the selection process. This team might not make it to Jakarta was in spite of EFI sending a comfor the August 18-September 2 mittee member to Gestut Hallege Games if EFI misses the June 30 (Austria) to oversee the trials on deadline set by the Union sports May 22-23. ministry for sending its final list. When asked why the selection
Speaking on condition of anowas cancelled, EFI secretarynymity, these people alleged that general, Swain, said: “It is the among the riders who were prerogative of the president and selected, two in ‘eventing’ and the selection committee (to select one in ‘show jumping’ had been or scratch a team). I am the secrepicked in contravention of the tary-general. Once the selection rules. One of the allegations was panel gives me the names, I’ll inithat two riders – Rajesh Pattu and tiate the process.”
Rakesh Kumar -- rode incorrect Asked if there was infighting in tests in the dressage test for qualiEFI, the secretary-general added, fication in the eventing discipline “There is no question about that. at Jardy, France in May. As per It’s the president who signed on rules, they should have competed the (initial) list of names.” in the Dressage Test B, but they Lt. Gen Ambre could not be took part in Test A, it was alleged. reached for comments. In addition, they were adjudged A top sports ministry official by only two judges, as against the said the ministry cannot interfere EFI norm of three judges. with the selection process. “But if
In spite of these irregularities, we find any discrepancy in the they were included in the team selection, or if the criteria are not announced on June 4, some other met, we can warn the federation riders contended. to go by the rules,” he said on the
When contacted, Pattu admit- condition of anonymity.