‘Shocking’ fixing allegations leads to removal of taekwondo competition director from National Games

Two days before the taekwondo competition was to start at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, the competition director was removed because of fears of alleged competition manipulation, an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) statement said.
The Prevention of Manipulation of Competition Committee (PMC) had also received complaints that some officials of the Taekwondo Federation of India had already fixed the result in 10 of the 16 weight categories. “The asking price is Rs 3 lakh for a gold medal, Rs 2 lakh for silver and Rs 1 lakh for bronze,” the IOA said it was informed.
The Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) based on ‘strong recommendations’ of a three-member PMC removed T Praveen Kumar as director of competitions. He was replaced S Dinesh Kumar.
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“It is shocking and sad that the National Games medals were allegedly decided away from the field of play even before the start of competitions. At the Indian Olympic Association we are committed to being fair to all our athletes and protect them from people conniving to manipulate the competition and tarnish the image of the National Games,” IOA president PT Usha said.
The PMC Committee also recommended that the entire competition be recorded on video and the footage preserved for reference should the need arise.
Sunaina Kumari, the chairperson of the technical conduct committee said, “It is important that we take on board the recommendations of the PMC Committee and protect the integrity of the 38th National Games.”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd

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