Guwahati, May 10: Like any other edition of aquatic meet in Assam, the two-day 14th all-Assam (inter-district) aquatic meet that concluded here yesterday was also not free of controversy.
This time, the row revolves around former Asian Games swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika, who was not allowed to participate in the seniors? time trials. The seniors? events were not organised in the meet as only six participants registered this time, said the organisers Assam Swimming Association (ASA).
Hazarika has alleged that he was asked by the ASA to provide his time details from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for which he plunges into the pool, and was not allowed to prove his present form during the state-level meet at BP Chaliha swimming pool.
After having skipped the Hyderabad National Games in 2002 despite repeated pleas from the ASA, Hazarika had offered his services for the Assam team for the 33rd National Games here, scheduled to be held later this year. He also participated in the 30-day first phase coaching camp here last year.
Hazarika alleged that while he was asked to submit his performance details from the CRPF, his teammate Lisa Mahanta was allowed to give her timings at the same meet yesterday. Mahanta, however, did not participate in all the four events after she gave a timing of above 30 seconds in 50-metre freestyle, said ASA president Utpal Sarma.
Sarma said Hazarika was not allowed to participate in the state trials yesterday because he was yet to submit a satisfactory reply to a showcause notice served on him by the swimming body as regards publications of a news report where he was quoted making provocative statements against the ASA.
?Besides, merely offering to swim for Assam is not sufficient to qualify for the nationals or the National Games. Performance counts in competitive sports. And to give valid performance a swimmer will have to follow the protocol. We will welcome Hazarika under our jurisdiction the day he submits a no objection certificate from the CRPF like Mrinal Basumatary of services has done,? said Sarma.
The ASA has been claiming that both Hazarika and Mahanta were yet to officially inform the association that they have been appointed by the CRPF.
