Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Paying a price for praising IOA bosses sky-high?

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD OCT. 25. Paying a price for praising too much? Well, the renowned commentator, Jasdev Singh, who was anchoring along with Komal Singh during the grand opening ceremony of the Afro-Asian Games yesterday at GMC Balayogi Stadium may not be there for the closing ceremony.

This is official. The reason? A visibly upset Home Minister, T. Devender Goud, led those who strongly opposed the commentator eulogising the top bosses of the Indian Olympic Association. Even for sports lovers in the stands, this was discernible. But, no one thought the Minister would take the issue so seriously as it figured during a review meeting in through teleconference chaired by the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Saturday morning.

So animated were the discussions that many started questioning the convenor of the Ceremonial Committee, S.P. Singh, as to whether it was not possible to have a substitute for Mr. Jasdev Singh. When the officer said it was not a problem, then the Chief Minister acknowledged the sentiments of his colleagues and directed officials to look into that.

It might be a jarring note for the man in the street but it also reflects how costly it can be if one crosses the `Lakshman rekha' in discharging their duty.

Malleswari floored

The inaugural ceremony had the near capacity crowd on its feet when the Sydney Olympic Games bronze medallist, Karnam Malleswari, lit the torch. And what does the two-time World Champion say about this? "It is an unforgettable honour. I could not have asked for a better privilege in front of such an august gathering and in front of home crowd," she told The Hindu.

"In a way, this unique honour has made up for my inability to take part in the Games. I would have loved to participate and win a medal. But the Weightlifting Federation of India has decided that Olympic medal is more important and since the World championship is the qualifying mark, I have to abide by its decision," she explained.

She was pleased to share the last lap with triple Olympian, Nandnuri Mukesh Kumar. A.S.V. Prasad, technical adviser, Government of AP (Sports), and P.R. Mohan, former chairman, SAAP, followed up the matter of honouring the Olympians ever since the decision was made to bring Malleswari for the opening ceremony.

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