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Antim Panghal in a social media post wrote that in the absence of help from the Indian sports officials, she had to ‘borrow’ money to book flights for her support staff members. read more
 "How laxity by officials has impacted medal hope Antim Panghal ahead of Paris Olympics")
Antim Panghal was the first Indian wrestler to book quota place for Paris Olympics. Image: UWW
Antim Panghal is one of the biggest medal hopes for India at the Paris Olympics 2024 but her preparation for the upcoming Games has been anything but perfect as Indian sports officials continue to shun their responsibilities.
Antim Panghal, only 19, was the first Indian wrestler to qualify for the Paris Olympics after she won a bronze medal at the World Championships. The former world junior champions want her coaches Bhagat Singh and Vikas and physiotherapist Heera to travel to Paris along with her to assist her in her quest for a medal and while the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had cleared all the names, the support staff members are still awaiting visa clearance.
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The laxity of officials came into the public domain after IOA president PT Usha on Wednesday slammed the ad-hoc panel, that managed the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for failing to submit the names of wrestler Antim Panghal’s coaches for the list sent to the Paris Olympic Games organisers.
“Antim won India an Olympic quota as early as in September 2023 by claiming a bronze medal in the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. In its wisdom the Ad Hoc Committee, administering wrestling, chose not to include the names of Antim’s coach or physiotherapist in the long list of names sent to the Olympic Games Organising Committee,” Usha said in a statement.
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Usha informed that the names of the support staff members have now been approved by the sports ministry while taking a dig at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
“It is strange that the responsible authorities, who approved the long list of athletes, coaching and support staff, did not deem it fit to recommend the inclusion of Bhagat Singh or Heera or Vikas.
“It was only after Antim’s father came to IOA a few days ago that I stepped in to have them cleared by the Ministry,” Usha said.
Antim Panghal in a social media post wrote that in the absence of help from the officials, she had to “borrow” money to book flights for her support staff members.
I am extremely thankful to IOA prez PT Usha and Shiva Keshavan for understanding my probs and writing to French Consulate. I felt humbled. 🙏🙏 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/m37Iij3fJp
— Antim Panghal (@OlyAntim) July 17, 2024As per a report in the Times of India, coach Bhagat went to the Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) in Delhi on Tuesday but was had to return empty hands as he was informed that biometrics cannot be done in the absence of an official letter from the consulate.
The report added that the letter for facilitation of visas for the Indian contingent travelling to Paris was sent by IOA but it was not done in Antim Pangha’s support staff’s case.
Antim Panghal will be reaching Paris on 3 August but the support staff members have got appointment for bio-metrics on 2 August.
IOA’s Executive Committee member Bhupendra Singh Bajwa was appointed the head of the ad-hoc panel for WFI in December 2023. MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar were appointed as the other members.
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