India’s junior fencing team will not be able to participate in the Asian Junior & Cadet Championship scheduled to be held in Thailand under national flag owing to IOC’s ban on India and this move could also hit the progress of the game as government may stop funding.
Following IOC’s ban on India in December last year, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) had suspended the national body but the Indian fencers have been allowed to take part in the March 2-11 Asian event in Thailand under the banner of Fencing Confederation of Asia.
If the fencers take part in the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships under the FCA banner, it will be the first time in India’s sports history to represent an international entity. The fencers are also still uncertain to take part even under the FCA banner as they have to find private sponsors as the government have not responded to their request for financial help with just a week left for the event.
Even in normal times, the fencers have been given help on case by case basis as the Fencing Association of India does not get government grant as the sport is now in the ‘other sport’ category of the ministry.
‘International fencing federation has assured the suspension will be lifted but that can happen only by a decision of its executive committee and its meeting is coming up only in April. So there will be no lifting of the suspension till that time,’ said FAI secretary general Sanjay Pradhan.
INDIA TO MISS OUT ON 2 ASIAN EVENTS
NEW DELHI: Indian athletes are likely to miss out on two important upcoming Asian sporting events as a result of the confusion and power struggle following Indian Olympic Association's suspension by IOC. The accreditation process for Asian Youth Games and Asian Youth Indoor Games had started long time back but no Indian athlete's name has been sent for participation till now. Although the Indian athletes cannot take part representing the country, they could have taken part under Olympic Council of Asia flag under special consideration. But since no entry has been submitted within the stipulated deadline, their participation now looks extremely douubtful as the Pre Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM) is scheduled to be held in Colombo Friday. The 2nd Asian Youth Games will be held in Nanjing, China, from August 16-24 while the 4th Asian Youth Indoor Games will be staged in Incheon, South Korea, from June 29 to July 6. The inaugural edition of the Youth Games was held in Singapore in 2009 and over 1300 athletes had taken part in 11 disciplines.
Following IOC’s ban on India in December last year, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) had suspended the national body but the Indian fencers have been allowed to take part in the March 2-11 Asian event in Thailand under the banner of Fencing Confederation of Asia.
If the fencers take part in the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships under the FCA banner, it will be the first time in India’s sports history to represent an international entity. The fencers are also still uncertain to take part even under the FCA banner as they have to find private sponsors as the government have not responded to their request for financial help with just a week left for the event.
Even in normal times, the fencers have been given help on case by case basis as the Fencing Association of India does not get government grant as the sport is now in the ‘other sport’ category of the ministry.
‘International fencing federation has assured the suspension will be lifted but that can happen only by a decision of its executive committee and its meeting is coming up only in April. So there will be no lifting of the suspension till that time,’ said FAI secretary general Sanjay Pradhan.
INDIA TO MISS OUT ON 2 ASIAN EVENTS
NEW DELHI: Indian athletes are likely to miss out on two important upcoming Asian sporting events as a result of the confusion and power struggle following Indian Olympic Association's suspension by IOC. The accreditation process for Asian Youth Games and Asian Youth Indoor Games had started long time back but no Indian athlete's name has been sent for participation till now. Although the Indian athletes cannot take part representing the country, they could have taken part under Olympic Council of Asia flag under special consideration. But since no entry has been submitted within the stipulated deadline, their participation now looks extremely douubtful as the Pre Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM) is scheduled to be held in Colombo Friday. The 2nd Asian Youth Games will be held in Nanjing, China, from August 16-24 while the 4th Asian Youth Indoor Games will be staged in Incheon, South Korea, from June 29 to July 6. The inaugural edition of the Youth Games was held in Singapore in 2009 and over 1300 athletes had taken part in 11 disciplines.