London still might be a long way off for P.U. Chithra, but the Kerala High Court order on Friday is a moral victory for her and her coach N.S. Sijin.
“When we decided to move the court against her omission from the Indian team for the London world championship, the entries had already closed,” Sijin told The Hindu after he received the court order.
“I felt if we didn’t act against the injustice, history might repeat: Chithra could be denied another opportunity that she fully deserved. This could happen to any other athlete like Chithra, who comes from a poor background and has no backing of reputed coaches.”
Sijin was also overwhelmed by the support for Chithra, whom she turned into an Asian champion from a little girl who came to study at Mundur Higher Secondary School more than 10 years ago.
Overwhelming support
“Not just the Chief Minister, the Sports Minister, and other people’s representatives, but the media as well as the common man supported her,” he said.
“Now everyone knows that Chithra was treated unfairly by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). I believe Chithra is suffering because of the prejudice of some officials.”
Another Kerala athlete, Anu Raghavan, also had received a similar order by the High Court in a petition against the AFI’s selection for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro last year.
But, she could not compete, as the AFI pointed out that the deadline for the entries was over.
It could well be a similar story for Chithra too, if one were to go by the first reactions from the AFI.
An official said the AFI would consult its legal team before making its next move in the wake of the court order.
Sijin, though, is still hopeful. “If the Centre intervenes – and it could since it gives financial assistance to the AFI – I think she could still compete in London,” he said.
Usha hails order
P.T. Usha has welcomed the High Court order.
“I think Chithra could still make it if the AFI is able to convince the International Association of Athletics Federations,” she told The Hindu here on Friday.
“I feel it is quite possible and I would be delighted if Chithra runs in London.”
