BHUBANESWAR: For almost five months, Odisha's four rowers of international repute were denied access to SAI SAG Water Sports Centre, Jagatpur for training. Because they were considered 'outsiders' by the authorities.After their plight was brought to light by this paper, the State Sports and Youth Services
Department (SYSD) intervened and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) allowed the rowers, Pratima Puhana, Pramila Prava Minz, Mina Madhuri Tappo and Asmita Kujur, to continue their training at the Sports Centre.
Sports and Youth Services Department Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev and Director Vineel Krishna discussed the issue with the players in presence of Sports Authority of India (East Zone) Director Manmeet Singh Goindi. It was decided that under no circumstances, the rowers, who have bagged 80 national and international medals, should be barred from practising at the water sports complex.
“They informed us that we can continue the practice after the Durga Puja from October 1. It is a puja gift for us. We will concentrate in the training for the Senior National Rowing Championship scheduled in December,” said Pratima Puhana. After the news report, SAI officials asked the four rowers to furnish the details of their achievements and finally took the decision to allow them to continue their training at Jagatpur. Among others, SYSD Deputy Director Gyana Ranjan, Odisha Association for Rowing and Sculling (OARS) president Binod Dash, secretary Amarjoyti Singh Deo, joint secretary Harsha Vardhan Singh Deo and rowing coach PT Paulose were present at the discussion.