Woman athlete files petition against ‘corrupt’ athletics association

The petition filed by S Nithya, a Discus Throw athlete studying in a private college in Chennai, stated that she was an athlete for 10 years and had won several events at the state level. “In 2018, I had won a gold medal in the Senior State Athletics Championship held in Tirunelveli and a silver medal at the Senior State Athletics Championship held at Chennai but despite my performances I was denied entry for participating in the Open National Championships for both the years,” said Nithya.

She also said that an athlete who did not perform to her level was given a chance to participate in the national level games. “When I was denied entry for national championships by Tamil Nadu athletics association, no reason whatsoever was given for the rejection. Another athlete whose performance was lesser than that of mine was given the chance in 2017 open national championships held at Chennai,” said Nithya.

Nithya further stated that apart from refusing chances for deserving candidates, the Tamil Nadu athletics association does not provide proper accommodation, food and travel arrangements for athletes and its Secretary, Latha, had forced all the athletes including her to sign in empty sheets to show that allowances were paid properly to the athletes without actually providing them.

Similarly, without conducting training camps, the Tamil Nadu athletics association had falsely recorded that said training camps were conducted and swindled funds, she claimed.

Nithya prayed that an online registration system for athletes should be in place in India with immediate effect so that athletes who have secured gold and silver medals in the state championships and also achieved required qualifying standards for national events do not suffer discrimination at the hands of autocrats like Latha.

She also prayed the court to investigate into the management of funds, affairs and functioning of Tamil Nadu athletics association under Latha and to constitute a special committee with eminent sports persons to regularise and conduct athletics championships, competitions, meets and events in the state.

The petition was numbered and will be taken up for hearing soon.