Udupi: Woman athlete lays on sports track in protest get to participate

www.mangaloretoday.com

Udupi, Oct 12, 2014: Alleging that the organisers have failed to allow her to contest in the state-level Masters Athletics meet organised by the Udupi district Masters Athletics Association, Athlete and DK ZP Member Saraswathi Kamath staged a protest by lying  on the track, at Mahatma Gandhi district stadium in Ajjarakadu on Oct 11.

 

She stated “there are two associations of masters athletics. As I had taken part in Indian Master Athletics meet, I was not given an opportunity to take part in the meet. I had appealed to the DC to allow me to participate. However, injustice has met out at me.” However, she was allowed to participate after District-inCharge Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake intervened and directed Udupi district Master Athletics Association Secretary Uday Kumar Shetty to allow her to take part.

“Our association is affiliated to Masters Athletics Federation of India. The Association had suspended Saraswamthi for violating the rules. Hence, we did not give her a chance. We have not committed any mistake,” said Association Secretary Uday Kumar Shetty.

A few athletes said “the awards do not have any value. We participate with a purely sporting spirit. We have to bear all the expenses. The formation of two master athletics organisation has been causing unnecessary trouble.” “The two organisations are trying to divide the athletes,” said Baralu Prakash from Hassan.  It was all an unfortunate incident.