Restriction on Judokas revoked, Trials now in all categories Judokas hold heated protest; Court verdict expected today
sports@ herald- goa. com PANJIM: The Goa Judo Association today revoked the ` suspension’ on the 14 judokas besides deciding to postpone the selection trials to a further date, after engaging in a heated verbal discussion with protesting judokas at the indoor stadium, Campal. The decision was announced by a member of the Judo Association Sudesh Pivrekar in the presence of the Association secretary Siddeshwar Naik, SAG coaches and parents of the athletes including members of the Right To Information forum, who were there in support. The 14 judokas, some of who are believed to be medal winners for the State of Goa, today unitedly protested against the unjust manner of the Association in restricting the judokas from participating in the Lusofonia Games. According to information furnished this evening to the Herald, it is learnt that tempers rose at the Indoor stadium, where the judokas were protesting against the arbitrary decision of the Goa Judo Association to suspend the 14 Judokas, who had filed a petition in the High Court pertaining to the selection process for the Lusofonia Games. They also opposed the Association's decision not to conduct selection trials in some categories. SAG coach Deepak Netardikar confirmed that it was announced by the Association to revoke the restriction on the judokas and postpone the selections trials to a further date. Another decision also taken by the Association is that the trails would be held in all the categories. Judo association secretary Siddeshwar Naik revealed that the judokas had protested in a very disturbing and un- sportsmanship manner with banging and jumping on tables and that he would be reporting the unruly and high- handedly behaviour of the judokas to the Association Executive Committee. Gurudatta Bhakta, President of the Goa Judo Association categorically clarified that there was no ban on any judokas and that only 6 junior players were restricted from the selection trails pending the decision of the court case. “ We now have however decided to revoke the restriction pending the verdict of the High Court.” “ The juniors, whose performance are much below par, want to compete in the Lusofonia Games along with the seniors,” pointed out Bhakta, who preferred not to speak much on the issue, the matter being sub- judice. The High Court in all probability will be delivering its verdict tomorrow , September 7th, on the case petitioned by the aggrieved judokas. Judokas along with parents and supporters protesting at the selection trails for Juniors at Indoor stadium, Campal. Source: http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=11468&boxid=177510&uid=&dat=10%2f7%2f2013