I have taken congnizance of the issue: Kiren Rijiju
KRC TIMES Desk
Sports and sportsmanship is essence of any sporting events but it seems the culture of getting things done in any means is what in Indian grassroot level sports culture has taken refuge to by resorting to unethical means. And all these are either intentionally given an eyewash or are professional failure of sports officials.
In an incident that is being highlighted by an Indian swimmer Anshul Kothari who alleges that unethical sporting actions were taking place in the All-India Inter-University Swimming (AIIU) meet being held at Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab under the ageis of Association of Indian Universities.
Kothari in a tweet shared the video and wrote ‘Such blatant cheating happening at All-India Inter University Swimming Meet 2019. This happens every year. Requesting Hon’ble Sports Minister @KirenRijiju to take swift action to prevent such incidents from discouraging other athletes at college level.’
Kothari sharing another video strongly alleged misdoings. He wrote ‘Full footage of 50m Butterfly race. The guy who took early start & finished 2nd was given gold medal. Absolutely shameless act from officials & swimmer. This will discourage thousands of hard working swimmers.
Responding to the allegation Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju stated ‘I have taken congnizance of the issue. Director General of Sports Authority of India is in touch with AIU officials. The matter is being investigated by AIU and I am confident that the correct course of action will be taken soon’.
Further Rijiju in another tweet on this issue said ‘I would like to make it very clear;
All organizations must ensure integrity of Sports. Transparency, fairness and equity in the sport world is a basic condition necessary to enhance opportunities for everyone to participate. There should be no scope for manipulation’.
As highlighted by the swimmers such blatant cheating and partial actions are prevalent in Indian sports. This is not the first time such incidents of misdeeds where both the players and officials are involved. Indian grassroot level sporting events needs various facelift in terms of infrastructure, professional behaviour and ethical administration.
If this incident and the accusation of the senior swimmers are found to be true then such actions in an academic institution should be a blot in our sporting system that would need a closer look. Such incidents are classic case of corruption in Sports.
