IMPHAL, January 16: A state judoka who was selected to represent the state in the 65 kg at National School in Judo under 14 and 17 Boys and Girls Championship, at Maharashtra from January 8 to 11, has returned home without participating at the championship after his name was allegedly replaced by another player and he was assigned in the 71 kg category.
The judoka Moirangthem Inaoton, son of M Satpa, of Khangabok part-II, is a holder of the National junior best Judo-ka title and a silver medalist in the inter school and international games.
This was revealed to media persons by Inaoton during a press conference held today, right after he reached Imphal, at AMSU office, DM college campus.
He said the trial selection was held in December 2012 following which he was selected in the 65 kg category by the selection committee. The team left Imphal on January 3 for Maharashtra to take part at the championship.
After seeing L Meino, a judo player whom he defeated in the trial selection, preparing to come along for the championship, he approached the officials to check the list again. However, he was denied saying to see it later after reaching Maharashtra, he said.
But after reaching Maharashtra, he came to know that his name was put in the 71 kg category and Meino in the 65 kg category in place of him so he skipped the championship, Inaoton further said.
Saying that such act of the selection committee has discouraged him morally and physically, Inaoton appealed to the concerned authority to look into the matter and take immediate action against such officials.
All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) president Th Suresh also spoke during the press conference. He condemned the act of the selection committee members and urged all the concerned authorities to refrain from favoritism and politicization of sports.
Action should be taken against all the officials involved in the fraudulent practice by the state Government, he urged.