Rowing Federation of India under scope for administrationâs lack of accountability
Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya has reportedly had a heated meeting with the Rowing Federation of India (RFI) in what was scheduled to be a discussion for the Annual Calendar for Tournaments and Camps (ACTC). RFI president Rajlaxmi Singh Deo had written to sports ministry following that.
The incident had taken place earlier this month when Jhulaniya, who had taken over the office in February, had a meeting with the RFI officials. The tense affair, as per TOI reports, even forced RFI president Rajlaxmi to write to the Sports Minister that also had allegations of Jhulaniya making "caustic personal remark" on her physical appearance and threatening âto de-recognize the RFI".
Jhulaniya, however, refused all allegations revealing how the federation hasnât been working and what are the governmentâs expectations from them. "All minutes of the meeting are recorded. I never exceed or breach courtesy. I don't cross my decency limit," Jhulaniya said on Monday, reported TOI.
"In the case of RFI, it is unfortunate that the president or office-bearers don't know how many districts or states have a rowing course. After 36 years of existence, (rowing) facilities are not there in half of the states.
"There are facilities in 17 states and union territories, and 18 don't have any. Out of 660 districts (across the country), 440 don't have a rowing course. They are not doing any scouting of talent as well. Meetings are not only for allocating funds. I have asked them to come back with a roadmap, both long term of four years and also one-year calendar in July," he added.
RFI chief, however, highlighted how the federation has managed to create champions with very limited help and in a tough environment. "We have created champions with limited resources. Every state who is our affiliate has a centre where the rowers live and train. It's not possible to have a rowing centre in every district," Rajlaxmi Deo told TOI.
Crediting the army for the job done, Jhulaniya refused to acknowledge it. "They are taking credit for the work done by the army (which has a rowing node in Pune and almost all rowing medals on the international stage have come from the Services athletes). Somebody should wake them up," he added.
