Tribune News Service
Vinayak Padmadeo
New Delhi, July 22
After a month of uncertainty over his participation at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, high-jumper Tejaswin Shankar has something to cheer about now.
The national record holder may still get to compete at the Birmingham CWG — which begin on July 28 — as his entry was approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) during the delegate registration meeting (DRM) on Friday.
Shankar had approached the Delhi High Court after he was not included in the squad by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) despite clearing the qualification mark of 2.27 metres. He had achieved the qualification mark at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championship in the USA on his way to winning gold. The court then asked AFI to consider Shankar for inclusion in the team.
I have not been told of this decision yet so I do not know how to react. This uncertainty has happened to me far too many times now. I have already told my mother that until I take my first jump in qualification in Birmingham, I do not think I am competing. —Tejaswin Shankar, high jumper
AFI, in turn, requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to include Shankar’s name in the list of Indian participants. However, IOA’s request was denied by CGF as Shankar’s name was proposed in lieu of the injured 400m runner Arokia Rajiv, while the rules allow like-for-like replacements only.
However, CGF has now agreed for his inclusion in the squad after IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta’s personal request to CGF president Dame Louise Martin.
Jilna approved
MV Jilna’s participation is also officially approved. She replaces disgraced sprinter S Dhanalakshmi, who failed a dope test this week, in the 100m relay team.
Accordingly, IOA has asked AFI to complete the formalities regarding Shankar and Jilna. In a letter to AFI, IOA has said: “You are requested to kindly send the revised entry by name form at the earliest. Kindly also include MV Jilna name.”
Not sure yet, says Shankar
After his hopes were dashed a couple of times, Tejaswin Shankar said he is still not sure if he’d be able to compete at the CWG as he has not yet been notified by IOA or AFI. “I have not been told of this decision yet so I do not know how to react. This uncertainty has happened to me far too many times now,” Shankar told The Tribune. “Whether I will compete or not is a constant debate during ‘chai pe charcha’ at my home these days. I have already told my mother that until I take my first jump in qualification in Birmingham, I do not think I am competing.” Shankar, who is in Delhi as he had to renew his student visa for the USA, added there are a lot of formalities to be completed before he could leave for Birmingham. “Visa has to be serviced. I have not been told about my flight details and even the biometric process will have to be done. All these things are still to be done, and we are heading into the weekend. So I don’t know what will happen,” he added.
