AFI’s tweet “praising” Hima Das sparks huge debate on Twitter

07/13/2018

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Either the Athletic Federation of India has no sort of respect for their athletes or they seriously need to reconsider how to run their social media team. AFI decided that the tweet following Hima Das’ brilliant run in the semis should focus more on her English fluency rather than the win.

Indian stars struggling to make a name for themselves with hardly any support from the country has now become Bollywood’s favorite narrative. However, it seems that despite achieving all the glory with very little help from the sporting federations, the athletes won’t be taken seriously if they don’t speak fluent English.

Hima Das became the first ever athlete from India to bag a gold medal in a global event as the 18-year-old won the women’s 400 metre race at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. It was a moment to cherish for the entire nation with the social media heaping praise on the sprinter for her unbelievable speed with few even calling comparing her with the legendary Milkha Singh.

The girl from Assam is definitely one of India’s biggest hopes in the upcoming Asian Games now after she clocked a whopping 51.46 seconds in the final to win the gold on Thursday. While she is an asset that every nation would want to have, AFI’s supposedly congratulatory tweet for making it to the finals explains everything that is wrong with the country’s sporting fraternity.

After Hima’s semi-final win, the AFI tweeted a rather bizarre tweet that read,

#HimaDas speking to media after her SF win at #iaaftampere2018 @iaaforg Not so fluent in English but she gave her best there too. So proud of u #HimaDas Keep rocking & yeah,try ur best in final! @ioaindia @IndianOlympians @TejaswinShankar @PTI_News @StarSportsIndia @hotstartweets pic.twitter.com/N3PdEamJen
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) July 12, 2018

While AFI did congratulate her on the win, the strange hint of sarcasm infuriated many on the social media platform and they consequently faced a severe backlash.

U trolling ur own skillful athelete

Plz don't preach others. Ur job is to report, motivate

Leave grammar to others. And mind well ur handle is known to ppl because of #HimaDas

Stunning spirited WIN

Not your Englissss
— Raghunath (@blunt_comment) July 13, 2018

🙏🇮🇳,

Suely it's an insulting-tweet about sportsperson #HimaDas, & so @afiindia must apologize & must "Delete" the "Tweet" without any delay..!

F.I.P. @Ra_THORe jee🙏 pic.twitter.com/HPAhBGXlwH
— 🇮🇳भूदेव🇮🇳 (@srea_DPBP) July 13, 2018

Eventually, AFI clarified their take on the situation with another tweet, but the controversy had spread like wildfire by then.

you need to read the tweet again & understand it well & stop trolling.
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) July 12, 2018

oh boo hoo @afiindia did english have any part to play in what she achieved on the track field. Then why even mention it. Some Introspection needed..and while you're at it stop branding people as trolls.
— Rohan Gupta (@Rohaan49) July 13, 2018

These idiots behind the handle should be thrown out.. typical of these high class low classs colonial leeches... @Ra_THORe do u approve dis
— Commie Patrol (@gauravWLL) July 13, 2018

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