Keshavan wants money paid directly, not through WGFI

Luge competitor for the Sochi Winter Olympics Shiva Keshavan has appealed to the sports ministry to release funds directly to him and not through the Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) as it does not govern his sport.

The sports ministry had Wednesday directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to release funds to the three athletes and their coaches going to the Winter Games, starting Feb 7, through the WGFI as a special case under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs.

Curiously, the same day the sports ministry received a letter from Keshavan's wife Namita Aggarwal, who is also the team leader and high performance director for the Indian luge team, making it clear that the WGFI has been misleading the ministry and SAI about its locus standi for luge. The letter also made a case for budgetary requirements of the luge team and its composition.

"Kindly note that WGFI is not the national governing body of luge in India and has no knowledge about the composition of the luge contingent and its budgetary requirements. Therefore, any claims from the WGFI on behalf of luge athlete Shiva Keshavan should kindly be disregarded," Namita wrote in the letter, a copy of which is in the possession of IANS.

Refuting the charges made by Namita, WGFI secretary general Roshan Lal Thakur told IANS that the federation itself has requested the ministry to release money to Keshavan directly.

"Earlier luge used to be part of the WGFI, but last year they formed their own federation and have been separated from us. We want the ministry to pay Shiva directly his money. We have informed the ministry about it also," said Thakur.

Namita also alleged that the WGFI was trying to enhance its credibility by seeking funds on behalf of Keshavan. She requested the ministry to make all payments directly to Keshavan.

"It is unfortunate that the WGFI has been using luge athlete Keshavan's name to enhance its credibility and to seek funds from the sports ministry. All fundings for Keshavan to be considered by your esteemed office must be in relation to the proposals submitted personally by himself," the letter said.

"SInce this is not the first time that the WGFI has used the name of Keshavan for its own purpose, this matter is being brought to your kind attention to avoid misappropriation of funds and confusion in future," the letter added.

Among the three athletes, Keshavan is the only to qualify directly for the Sochi Winter Olympics due to his gold in the Asian Championships in 2012. Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross country competitor Nadeem Iqbal have qualified on the basis of national quota system.

The trio will be taking part in the Winter Olympics as independent athletes under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) flag as India is under suspension since Dec 4, 2012.