Dipa Karmakar, Pranati Nayak & co in danger of missing Artistic World Championships: Reports

The Rhythmic Gymnastics started on Monday and because of the tussle between the Ministry and the suspended Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI), Dipa Karmakar, Pranati Nayak, Aruna Budda Reddy, Ashish Kumar, Rakesh Patra, and other Indian gymansts couldn't take part in the event. According to TOI reports, this might deny them a chance to be a part of the World Artistic Championships starting from October 25 in Doha.The Gymnasts seemed quite hopeful for the Championships so that they could get an opportunity to practice well ahead of the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany next year, which would act as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Participating in the Artistic World Championships would have also done a world of good to their overall standing in the global ranking.The sports ministry had earlier sent a letter to the federation reminding about the suspension because of internal conflict. The ministry stated that since the federation is not recognized by it, as per the provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI) 2011, it cannot send a gymnastics team representing India at the international events.As per a federation official, the decision by the ministry forced them not to send the team to Bulgaria as it would have been impossible to bear the cost of team's travel. The last date of filing names for the Artistic Worlds is September 25 and if no Indians will turn up for the event then there is a heavy risk of the world body penalizing the Indian federation.