The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked the Central government to respond to a writ petition filed by athlete P.U. Chithra seeking a directive to the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) to forward her name for participation in the 1,500-metre race at the International Association of Athletic Federation World Championship to be held in London from August 4 to 13.
The court also asked whether the Centre had any control over the AFI. According to Chithra, the federation’s decision not to select her for representing the country in the world championship, despite the required qualification, was highly arbitrary.
She said the world championships were coveted international events. Every country was trying to participate and win medals at these events.
Even crores of rupees was spent by the Centre to ensure that the country secured medals. Extraneous consideration was behind the decision to deny her participation in the event. In fact, she had automatically qualified for participation in the championship. She had won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500 m event at the recent Asian championship in Bhubaneswar. Therefore, she was entitled to take part in the world championship.
