HC direction to SDAT on selection process for TN aquatics

The Madras High Court has directed the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu to consider conducting the selection process for participation in the 29th Tamil Nadu State Winter Aquatic Championship and South Zone Selection Trials-2017.
The process should be conducted by following a "consolidated" method to avoid complexity in selection and to identify energetic aspirants for participation in the events, Justice R Mahadevan said.
It should be based only on merit, ability and skill of the candidates without any partiality or favouritism, the judge said, disposing of a petition yesterday.
Petitioner Muthukumar submitted that when his daughter, Sripriyadarshini, a gold medallist in swimming, wanted to participate in the selection trials, she found that there were two associations with the same name -- "Tamil Nadu State Aquatic Association" -- and two different addresses.

These associations had called for eligible candidates by notifications on December 12 for the state winter championship and December 15 for the South Zone Selection Trials-2017.
There was confusion among the aspirants as to where they should apply, he contended.

Justice Mahadevan said it was a sorry state of affairs that an aspiring candidate was put to difficulties in the matter of subjecting herself for selection.
This amounted to nipping the career of the petitioner's daughter in the bud itself, he said.
The court warned that departmental proceedings would be initiated against SDAT officials if they were found to be shirking responsibility and making the petitioner run from pillar to post without taking any firm decision.

The petitioner had sought a direction to the SDAT to conduct a single selection process for selecting participants for the South Zone Aquatic Championship.