Following the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) decision to suspend and send home two of India’s athletes for violation of the strict 'No Needle' policy , the Indian contingent in Australia has decided to appeal against the ruling.
We don't agree with some decisions, and we will discuss with our higher authorities. We will appeal against these decisions," general team manager, Namdev Shirgaonker said, addressing a press conference.
The Kerala-born duo of race walker KT Irfan and triple jumper V Rakesh Babu were suspended from the Games on Friday after they were found guilty of breaching the event's ‘No Needle’ policy.
CGF president Lousie Martin released a statement, saying, “Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect not permitted to participate in the Games. The accreditation of Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi was suspended with effect from 09:00 hours on April 13, 2018. Both athletes were removed from the Games Village.”
"We have asked the Commonwealth Games Association of India to ensure both athletes depart Australia on the first flight available," it added.
KT Irfan had already finished his event finishing 13th in the 20km walk. Rakesh Babu on the other hand was slated to compete on Friday in the triple-jump event but sustained an injury and looked unlikely to do so.
"There is a lot of confusion, why our athletes were banned, how they confirmed this. Why was Irfan banned when the syringe was found in Babu's bag."How is the CGF so confident that both athletes were using the same syringe. Babu admitted, but what about Irfan?” Indian athletics team manager Ravinder Choudhry said.
The CGF court heard the latest complaint on Thursday after it was brought to its notice by the CGF medical commission that the Indian contingent was not reprimanded after a needle was found outside a boxer’s room.
The CGF stated, “The chef-de-mission of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, general team manager, Namdev Shirgaonker; athletics team manager, Ravinder Chaudhry; two athletes, Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi; and other individuals associated with CGA India were found by the CGF Court to be in breach of the CGF No Needle Policy for the Games. All five individuals were found to be in breach of the Policy.”