Doha-bound pugilists accuse SAI of indifference

Patiala, Nov 18 (UNI) Sports Authority of India, the country's apex sports body, has come under fire from the Indian pugilists bound for the Asian Games in Doha for being ''erratic and callous when dealing with sister organisations''.

Talking to UNI, chief national boxing coach, M Venu, said the indifference of SAI towards Doha-bound Indian pugilists, who were in the final stage of the ongoing camp at the NIS, was ''shocking''.

Elaborating about the kit provided to the boxers on November 16, Mr Venu said the Executive Director of the NIS, Laxman Singh Ranawat had written to the Director General of SAI, Ratan Wattal, two months ago about the training kit giving complete specifications, but so far there had been no reply from him.

Mr Venu said that the Executive Director (T) of SAI, Prem Kashyap, while visiting the NIS about a fortnight ago, had assured him of sending a proper kit within two or three days, but till date, SAI has not sent a proper training kit for the boxers.

Instead, the NIS has provided a poor quality training kit from its old stock, and that too, the size does not fit the boxers as reported in a section of the press.

''If this is the state of affairs in SAI, should we expect medals in Doha Asian Games from our sportspersons? Our sports management surely requires to be pulled up, if, we as a nation, are to catch up with the advanced sporting nations,'' he said.

Mr Ranawat was not available for comments since he was on an official trip to Sikkim.

UNI XC JN DH BS1939