PT Usha pulls out trainees from world relay event in Bahamas

PT Usha, coach of women’s relay team (4x400m), has refused to let trainees participate in the world relay event in Bahamas, scheduled to be held later this week.

The national relay teams are already struggling to get the US transit visa to compete in the world relays to be held in Nassau, Bahamas on April 22-23.

PT Usha has refused to let her wards Tintu Lukka (in pic) and Jisna Mathew participate in the world relay event in Bahamas. (Hindustan Times)

On top of the uncertainty over whether they will participate, the women’s relay team (4x400m) suffered a setback with former track great PT Usha refusing to let her wards Tintu Lukka and Jisna Mathew go. Usha, who was named the women’s team coach, has also opted out.

Tintu Luka and Jisna Mathew are trainees at the Usha School of Athletics in Kozhikode and are among the six athletes selected for the women’s relay team. Since there was delay in getting the travel documents, the duo wants to focus on the Asian Grand Prix series to be held on April 24, 27 (both China) and April 30 (Chinese Taipei).

However, the other four members of the relay team, including national 400m champion, MR Poovamma, arrived in the Capital on Thursday to get the US transit visa.

Ideally, the national team should have left latest by Thursday to compete in the $1.26 million prize money event.