The standoff between the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) is having a detrimental effect on the ongoing national coaching camp for men at Patiala.
Disappointed with the SSCB for not sending its players and two coaches for the camp, IWF secretary-general, Sahdev Yadav, has sent a letter to the board asking them to respond immediately, failing which the camp would be rescheduled and new lifters selected.
In the absence of SSCB coaches, an expert from the academic wing of Patiala's National Institute of Sports is guiding the handful of lifters who have reported for the camp.
"If the lifters don't report by May 24, the federation will disband the camp," warned Yadav.
"We don't have any other choice but to revise the list of the core group of players, and get the approval of the sports ministry for the camp afresh."
Of the 30-odd lifters selected for the camp, a majority of them were from the SSCB. But ever since the federation banned SSCB following a spate of failed dope tests, the latter is keeping its players away from the camp.
SSCB is putting pressure on the IWF to lift the ban and only then will it coordinate and send its players for the camp. "It's just short of blackmailing the federation," Yadav said.
{{/usCountry}}SSCB is putting pressure on the IWF to lift the ban and only then will it coordinate and send its players for the camp. "It's just short of blackmailing the federation," Yadav said.
{{/usCountry}}Despite repeated efforts, SSCB secretary, Bala Aditya, could not be contacted.