KOCHI: In a major setback to the Athletic Federation of India, the Kerala High Court on Friday directed the sports body to ensure the participation of PU Chithra for 1,500-meter race at the IAAF World Championships, being held in London between August 4 and August 13. The court issued the direction to Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Athletic Federation of India and AFI Selection Committee chairman GS Randhawa.
The materials on record disclosed that Chithra has been sidelined. "Opportunities of the instant nature would come in the way of an athlete only once in a life time and if they miss the chance, they may not get it again," the court observed.
Chithra, who struck gold in the 1,500 metres track event in the Asian Athletics Championships, was excluded from the Indian team citing that her timings for the event were not close to the standards fixed by the sports body. The AFI said that the timing for the petitioner for the event at the Asian Championships was 4 minutes and 17.92 seconds and the entry standards fixed for the IAAF World Championships is 4 minutes and 07 seconds. "True the best timing of the petitioner is less by 10 seconds than the standards fixed, but it is seen that many persons who are nowhere close the standards fixed for the IAAF World Championships have been included in the Indian team," the court noted.
The entry standard for 5,000 m race for men is 13 minutes and 22 seconds, whereas the best timing of G Lakshmanan, who is participating in the event representing India is only 14 minutes 54.48 seconds, which is less than almost two minutes. Likewise, the entry standards for 10,000 m race is 27 minutes and 47 seconds, whereas the best timings of G Lakshmanan, who is contesting the event for India, is 29 minutes and 55.87 seconds, that is less than 3 minutes than the standard set. "The difference as far as Chithra is concerned is only ten seconds. It reveals that Chithra has faced discrimination," the court observed.
The 22-year-old track and field athlete hailing from Mundur in Palakkad submitted that decision of Athletic Federation of India was illegal. The petition stated that an athlete, who secured first place in any area of championship, automatically qualifies to represent India at the world championship, irrespective of whether her performance has reached the entry standards in the event or not.
According to the petition, during the Asian Athletic Championship at Bhubaneswar, there was rain on the day of her event and defying all expectations, the petitioner created history by winning the gold medal for India.