The gymnastics competition of the 35th National Games was witness to some drama with the West Bengal lodging a protest against the participation of two Madhya Pradesh gymnasts, who originally hail from the eastern state.
Taking objection to Pranati Nayak and Ankita Baidya's participation from Madhya Pradesh despite being registered in Bengal, the state's chef de mission Ramanauj Mukhopadhyay said the their move to a new state just before the Games was illegal as it violated the set norms of transfer.
Interestingly, Pranati went on to win a silver medal in the individual all round yesterday and Bengal claimed that she was not disqualified on the intervention of Indian Olympic Association Joint Secretary S M Bali.
"...They are residents of West Bengal and Trainees in SAI Eastern Centre, Kolkata. Both trainees are staying as a residents for the last seven years," Mukhopadhyay said.
"We lodged our protest to the Competition Director and also to the GTCC Chairman Mr. K. Murugan and Convenor Mr.S.Rajiv and requested them to uphold the Eligibility Code," he added.
Mukhopadhyay said according to the code, "A sportsperson can represent either the State to which he/she belongs by birth the state in which he/she working or residing at least for the last (6) months immediately preceding the Opening Ceremony day of the National Games. Participation from any other State shall disqualify him/her from the National Games."
Mukhopadhyay said had it not been for the OA representative's intervention, Pranati would have stood disqualified as she failed to provide the requisite residential proof for being a Madhya Pradesh resident.
"We strongly protest the action of the IOA representative and demand mmediate restoration of GTCC decision and their Eligibility Code to protect the interest of the sportpersons and maintain strict discipline in the country for the advancement of sports," he said.
