Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Sports Minister Govind Gaude today said that he has communicated with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports with regards to Katya Coelho being dropped from Sailing Squad.
“I have written to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports with regards to Katya Coelho being dropped from Sailing Squad. A decision will be out soon,” said Gaude.
He further said that he was awaiting a reply from the two bodies over their decision.
Katya Coelho competed for India at the Sailing World Championships, earlier this year, however as per the results declared, she did not finish (DNF) three of her races and did not compete (DNC) in the fourth.
According to the sources participants must reach a specific Asian rating go be eligible for Asian games but Katya hasn’t competed internationally frequently to have the international rating to be eligible for the Asian Games.
“I immediately wrote to the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and also to the Indian Olympics Association (IOA). I don’t know why she has been dropped and I was unaware till she met me. By tomorrow I will get the reply. It is a proud moment for Goa that Katya Coelho has represented the country.” said president of the Goa Yachting Association, Siddharth Satardekar
He said that there is no clarity as whether it is an omission or a clerical error.
“The yachting association had planned to send the contingent for training early and her name was part of that group. Now I don’t know what happened” he said.
With just a few weeks to go untill the Asian Games, fans of the sport and well-wishers of Katya will hope that this matter is resolved soon.
Katya was dropped from the contingent going to attend the Asian Games in China. She is part of a group of 200 athletes whose names were not cleared by the government in Delhi.
According to Katya, many of those who were dropped had qualified for their events.
