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Imphal, Oct. 8: Caught in a tangle of deprivation and probable deceit, diver K. Ramananda Sharma has been deprived a chance of participating in the World Junior Diving Championship, 2012 in Adelaide, Australia, slated from October 8-13.
Ramananda was supposed to leave for Australia on October 6 to represent India in the meet but a few hours before his flight, Mayur Vyas, chief diving coach of the Swimming Federation of India, informed him that his visa was cancelled.
Ramamanda’s father K. Rajbihari Sharma told reporters at the Manipur Press Club that they arranged an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh, which they had to pay for travel and other expenses for the tour. He said Vyas had taken Rs 2 lakh of the amount.
He added that Ramananda is currently with the Army Sports Institute, Pune and they had earlier provided his tour expenditure but as it was yet to reimbursed by the federation, they could not help him this time.
Residents of Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai in Imphal East, where Ramananda stays, had organised tambola to raise funds for his Australia trip.
Rajbihari said when he asked Vyas why his son’s visa was cancelled, the coach provided no reason. Vyas has left for Australia as a judge for the meet and could not be contacted. Rajbihari Sharma said he is very disappointed at being cheated. “I want Mayur Vyas to be pulled up for his action,” he said.
The Swimming Federation of India had selected Ramananda Sharma, along with three other divers, for the Australian championship on August 20 this year.
The United Committee, Manipur and Chingmeirong Youth Welfare Association have condemned the attitude of the Swimming Federation of India.
Union minister for youth affairs and sports Ajay Maken, who was on a visit to Imphal, today said he was not aware of the matter but would definitely take it up with the authorities.
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