Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) The sports ministry Saturday withdrew approval of participation of the equestrian and kayaking and canoeing teams from the Asian Games being held in Guangzhou.

In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), under secretary S.P.S. Tomar said Vikram Singh Bhandari, in the slalom individual event, has been selected in the Asian Games team despite not being recommended by the selection committee.

Despite the notice, Bhandari went ahead and took part in the kayak single heats and finished eighth.

Tomar said: “IOA may take further necessary action for withdrawal of the name of Vikram Singh Bhandari from the kayaking and canoeing team cleared for participation in the Asian Games.”

Tomar also told the secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) S.S. Ahlawat that the government was “constrained to withdraw” the participation of the equestrian team from the Asian Games.

“It is learnt that horses are yet to leave Bangalore where they have been quarantined because full clearance from Chinese authorities is still awaited. Your proposal of sending three horses cleared by Chinese authorities against the original proposal of eight horses is not acceptable to this ministry. It is also relevant to mention that two horses cleared do not make a team and, therefore, they wouldn’t be able to participate in the team event,” said Tomar.

Tomar said the government has taken a serious note of the mishandling of the matter and has withdrawn the approval of participation.

Tomar, however, said the government can reconsider its decision if the EFI manages to get clearance for all the eight horses from the Chinese authorities and the Indian horses are not subjected to differential treatment on landing in China for additional quarantine measures.