The Hindu : Sport / Swimming : Neelesha pulls out of Doha Games

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Thursday, Nov 09, 2006
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Sport - Swimming

Neelesha pulls out of Doha Games

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: With hardly a month left for the Asian Games at Doha, the Indian swimmers are racing against the clock to qualify for the Games. Their bid has suffered a setback with Neelesha Ghosh, one of the two U.S.-based Indians selected in the team, pulling out.

Virendra Nanavati, secretary general of the Swimming Federation of India (SFI), who spoke to The Hindu here on Wednesday, said that Neelesha has been refused permission by the Stanford University, where she is studying on a sports scholarship.

"I don't have the exact details, but she has told us that the University hasn't given her permission due to some other prior commitments. She is on the University swimming squad."

No replacement

Mr. Nanavati, however, ruled out a replacement for Neelesha, who was tipped to enter the freestyle and butterfly events.

The SFI official confirmed that Ankur Poseria, who is training under coach David Salo in the U.S., would represent the country at Doha if he makes the qualifying mark.

Mr. Nanavati said that the SFI was firm that only those who met the qualifying standards (at least sixth in the last Asiad) would make it to Doha. "This is not a meet for exposure, and we are aiming to send people who at least figure in the finals. We expect a certain quality from them," he said.

Speed work

Meanwhile, the National coach S. Pradeep Kumar has said that the members of the team who were currently training at the SAI (South) Centre here — Rehan Poncha, Arjun Muralidharan, Veerdhawal Khade and Shikha Tandon — were doing speed work.

"I am reasonably satisfied with their progress, and all of them are coming close to their best timings," Pradeep said.

Pradeep also said that there would be a trial on November 10 for Shikha Tandon, who has returned to competitive training after a long gap, following a shoulder surgery. "The trial is to judge her fitness level," said the coach.

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