The Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) is in the process of reconsidering one of its orders advising its archers and boxers to stay away from events conducted by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF).
The RSPB had taken the decision (on March 22) on the ground that the AAI was derecognised and the IABF was suspended by the Union Sports Ministry. The RSPB had said that if the athletes participated in events conducted by these two National federations, then their performance would not be considered for various departmental benefits.
It was a major roadblock for some top archers as they were in a dilemma on whether to take part in the National ranking event, which also served as the selection trials for the upcoming World Cup (in China next month). The archers, however, participated in the event which concluded at Jamshedpur last Sunday.
RSPB Deputy Director (Sports) Rakesh Rawat said the board was reconsidering its order after receiving a favourable communication from SAI regarding an event. “Wherever SAI is involved, we are sparing our athletes. We do not want the athletes to suffer,” said Rawat.
