Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 12

The last-minute changes in the final list of the Indian delegation for the Tokyo Olympics has raised several eyebrows.

Fencer CA Bhavani Devi’s mother CA Ramani is travelling to the Games as team manager of the fencing contingent. Sanmay Paranjpe, who is the personal coach of table tennis star Manika Batra, is also going as team manager.

Madhukant Pathak, who was incarcerated for his alleged role in the embezzlement of funds in the 2011 National Games held in Jharkhand, is going as the team manager of the athletics team. Pathak was the treasurer of the National Games Organising Committee, and it is alleged a sum of Rs 28 crore was embezzled during the conduct of the event. Pathak’s inclusion has irked IOA vice-president Sudhanshu Mittal, who called it an embarrassing situation for the sports body.

“This man went to jail on corruption charges. This is shameful. How can you send someone like him as part of the official delegation,” Mittal told The Tribune.

“I will write to the Prime Minister about this embarrassing situation. We are all ashamed by this,” he added.

Ramani’s inclusion was equally surprising considering both Bhavani’s coach Nicola Zanotti and psychologist Angelo Carnemolla will be by her side in Tokyo. IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta clarified that Ramani’s inclusion was requested by the athlete and since IOA is not bearing her expenses her name was cleared. “Bhavani requested her mother’s inclusion to both IOA and the ministry. We have included her, as IOA is not bearing her expenses. She will be staying outside the Games Village,” Mehta said.

TTFI surprised

Meanwhile, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has decided to welcome Paranjpe’s inclusion after initial surprise after they were asked to furnish passport details of Manika’s coach. MP Singh, who is also travelling as part of the delegation as team manager of the TT contingent, said that though they were not against Paranjpe’s inclusion they had sought a few basic details about the coach’s stay in Tokyo. However, sources have told this correspondent that the officials were not happy about this development.

“We are not against his inclusion. In fact we are happy that he is there. We have just asked for basic details as the information was sought from us regarding his passport details,” Singh said.

“We have just asked them where he will stay and things about his travel, that’s all. We are not against any athlete travelling with their personal coaches,” he added.