Failing To Show Up At World University Games, Indian Archers Forfeit Medal Match

Image Courtesy: www.archery360.com

Indian men’s compound archery team brought the country to shame after they failed to turn up for a bronze medal play-off match in the World University Games in South Korea on Wednesday. This has prompted the Archery Association of India (AAI) to order a probe into the matter.
“The Indian compound men’s team was not present at the start of their bronze medal match against Italy at 10AM on July 7, 2015. World Archery rules state that if a team is not present at the start of a finals match then that match is forfeited,” said Chris Wells, the communication manager of the World Archery.
The reason given by coach Jivanjot Singh is they had to forego the match because of a broken bow. “Gurwinder Singh’s bow string broke and none of the archers were carrying a spare bow. So we had to send a guy to the team hotel and get a bow from the girls. We reached the competition venue exactly two minutes after the reporting time but the officials did not give in to our request,” Jiwanjot said.
An Archery Association of India source however told media that the boys failed to arrive at the venue because they were out sightseeing. The source also added that the archers could have shared a bow if the situation was that desperate.
AAI secretary general Anil Kamineni however rubbished such reports. “At 10AM in the morning they cannot go sightseeing. Moreover, most of them are senior archers and they know their responsibilities.”
What raises concern is that the act of indiscipline happened when senior India team’s foreign coach Lim Chae Woong and Jivanjot, who has accompanied the team on many major international tournaments, were present at the event.

via – TOI