Tamil Nadu Athletics Affiliation (TNAA) addressed Achanta Sharath Kamal as ‘a nondescript sportsman’ as it objected to the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) selection to pick out the 4-time Olympian as India’s flagbearer for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics while depriving reigning Olympic and Globe Championships gold medallist Neeraj Chopra of the honour.
“The nomination of desk tennis participant Sharath Kamal as the flag bearer of Indian Olympic Contingent has sent shockwaves throughout the Country,” C Latha, secretary of TNAA, wrote in a push note, on March 29, Friday.
“It is not only the sportspersons but everybody who follows athletics are aggrieved with the injustice of leaving out Neeraj Chopra, the only Indian gold medallist in athletics for the duration of the 130 decades outdated historical past of Olympics. Moreover remaining the present-day Olympic and Earth Champion in Javelin toss, he has also been picked to defend his title in the forthcoming Olympics,” she additional in the be aware.
“I simply cannot visualize him being the component of the nationwide group led by a non-descript sportsman Sharath Kamal,” Latha wrote even further, expressing his displeasure about the Khel Ratna awardee staying picked for the part.
Tamil Nadu Athletics Association addresses Sharath Kamal as ‘a nondescript sportsman’
In a push be aware, the TNAA expressed its displeasure with Desk Tennis legend Sharath Kamal currently being picked as India’s flag-bearer at #Paris2024 🏓
Disrespectful to a multiple CWG, Asian… pic.twitter.com/TMXh4H9Yvq
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) March 30, 2024
The TNAA, affiliated with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), in the push note, has also sought an explanation from the IOA for naming Sharath Kamal, India’s optimum-ranked men’s singles participant at entire world no. 35, as the flagbearer beforehand when the Indian Olympic contingent has not been announced yet.
“It is also be mentioned that the Indian Olympic Team is however to be announced and the Olympic Committee is still to name the flag-bearer. What is the hurry in announcing the flag-bearer and what is the cause for leaving out the Earth & Olympic Champion? The Indian Olympic Association really should also demonstrate the needless hurry in announcing the flag-bearer’s name,” she wrote even more.
A participant of reputation, Sharath Kamal, who became the first Indian to get to the quarterfinals of the Singapore Smash earlier this thirty day period, holds a file of winning ten nationwide championship titles and 13 medals at the Commonwealth Online games, including seven gold medals.
The 41-yr-old also secured two medals at the Asian Video games and is a a few-time bronze medallist at the Asian Championships.
Sharath Kamal also performed a essential role in the Indian men’s team’s qualification to the Paris Olympics this 12 months for the 1st time centered on top-quality position.