THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Sports Council will support athlete P U Chitra in her legal battle against the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for excluding her from the Indian squad for the IAAF World Athletics Championship in London, said president T P Dasan.
“Chitra has been denied an opportunity to participate in the World Athletics Championship despite having a Kerala High Court order in her favour. While the Asian gold medalist’s request for entry was denied, sprinter Dutee Chand, who settled for Asian bronze, and steeplechaser Sudha Singh got late entries,” said Dasan, terming AFI’s decision unjustifiable.
“It is getting clearer there has been a conspiracy. Though the Sports Ministry intervened, it has been proved they lack control over AFI. The Centre should pass a Sports Bill to rein in sports federations or think about the BCCI example, where the Supreme Court intervened to control it,” he said. Dasan said the Kerala Government and the Sports Council will fund Chitra’s legal battle against the AFI.