2024-07-18 10:48:33
New Delhi: National record holder shot put athlete Abha Khatua had decided to participate in the Olympics despite a recent family tragedy. But her name is missing from the Indian contingent going to Paris and there is no clear answer yet as to why her name was removed from the list. Abha left for Spala in Turkey on July 11 along with her other teammates for the ‘base’ of India’s Olympic-bound athletics contingent. But her name was not in the list of track and field Olympic participants released by World Athletics the very next day. 29-year-old Abha, who qualified for Paris through the world rankings, was then also missing from the 117-member Indian contingent approved by the Sports Ministry. The track and field team now has 29 members while 30 members were announced by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). There is no information yet as to whether her name has been removed due to injury, doping violation or any other technical problem.
No one is giving their opinion on this issue
Attempts to contact Abha have failed and officials evaded questions when asked about her absence.
An AFI official only said that the federation was not aware of the issue. When contacted, a World Athletics official also refused to comment on the issue. “World Athletics does not make specific comments on individual selection decisions for a long time,” the official said in response to a PTI query. Born to a farmer in Khurshi village near West Midnapore district of West Bengal, Abha tried her hand at a variety of track and field sports before taking up shot put five years ago.
Recently, Bhabhi passed away
Speaking to PTI before leaving India on July 11, she revealed that she will be making her Olympic debut despite the recent demise of her bhabhi (brother’s wife). Abha had admitted that she was in shock as she was very close to her bhabhi but decided to participate in the Olympics considering the sacrifices made by her parents. She had said, “I lost my bhabhi a few days ago which left me mentally very upset. I was excited after qualifying for the Paris Games as it is every athlete’s dream to become an Olympian.” She had said, “I was shocked because of this tragedy in the family. I am participating in my first Olympics. My parents have sacrificed a lot to see me compete in the Olympics.”