After Winning Four Medals, Pranati in Eye of State Storm

After Winning Four Medals, Pranati in Eye of State Storm

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  While Pranati Nayak, who represented Madhya Pradesh, seemed to have overcome injuries after winning four medals in women’s gymnastics which concluded here on Friday, her career now faces the wrath of gymnastics fraternity in her home turf in Kolkata.

The gymnast’s decision to represent Madhya Pradesh infuriated the gymnastic fraternity in Kolkata as she received benefits of training from in Center for Excellence of Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Kolkata and has been a resident of the West Bengal for many years.

Crying foul over her participation in National Games representing Madhya Pradesh, Chef-de-Mission Ramanuj Mukhopadhyay of West Bengal delegation said that Pranati is a bonafide gymnastic trainee in the scheme of SAI Centre in Kolkata and she is not entitled to represent another state.

According to Mukhopadhyay, she has been staying at the residential facility of SAI at Kolkata for the last seven years. Meanwhile, Pranati said that she was forced to approach Madhya Pradesh as she was not selected to the West Bengal team in the selection process which was held prior to the Games.

“My back was injured during a world championship in China in 2014. I had to take rest for two months completely. However, later when I approached National Games camp for West Bengal delegation, I was not selected even though I was fit for it. And later I had no option, but to approach another state to ensure my participation in the Games,” said Pranati.

The delegation lodged a complaint with competition director and Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) alleging  the illegal participation of Pranati. 

However, Mukhopadhyay alleged that her disqualification was revoked by GTCC following the intervention of joint secretary of Indian Olympic Association S M Bali in the matter. “The girl cannot be disqualified because there is nothing wrong in representing another state and she had secured medal by then,” Bali told SS.

Currently, Pranati is fraught with fear thinking about her career in home state as she has invited the wrath of the sports fraternity there. “I don’t know what to expect. I hope everything would settle down. If not, I will face issues as it comes,” said Pranati who settled for three silver medals and one bronze here.

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