New Delhi: A major match-fixing scandal has hit the 38th National Games, which is underway in Uttarakhand.
The director of competition of Taekwondo was removed after several officials were accused of fixing match results in the Games.
The allegations were quite serious as it was claimed that results were pre-determined in 10 of the 16 weight categories before the Games even began on January 28 in Dehradun.
The National Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) removed T Praveen Kumar, the director of Taekwondo, and named S Dinesh Kumar as his replacement on the advice of Prevention of Manipulation of Competition Committee (PMCC).
“It is important that we take on board the recommendations of the PMC Committee and protect the integrity of the National Games Uttarakhand,” GTCC chairperson Sunaina Kumari said on Monday.
“Besides receiving complaints against the erstwhile director of competition, we are also shocked to discover that he had named office-bearers and executive committee members of some state associations as well as someone who was an equipment vendor for the selection trials as sports specific volunteers,” Sunaina added.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed shock and said it was important for all stakeholders to uphold the spirit of sport and give all competitors a fair chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage in the country.
“It is shocking and sad that the National Games medals were allegedly decided away from the field of play even before the start of competitions. At the IOA, we are committed to being fair to all our athletes and protect them from people conniving to manipulate the competition and tarnish the image of the National Games,” Usha said in a statement.
“The PMC Committee also recommended that the entire competition be recorded on video and the footage preserved for reference. should the need arise. The panel said that a team of officials nominated by the GTCC should be present at the venue throughout the competition to reduce the scope of manipulation and give all athletes a fair chance at winning medals,” the statement added.
