Won't apologise, says kabaddi ex-captain Ajay Thakur

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 18

The Himachal Pradesh Kabaddi Association on Sunday sought an unconditional apology from Ajay Thakur, former captain of the national squad and Padma Shri awardee, for alleging corruption in the selection of the state team.

Association president Rajkumar Branta, talking to mediapersons, said, “Ajay will be served a legal notice if he fails to apologise within a week.” He added Ajay, a DSP, used ‘foul language’ on social media and the issue would be taken up with the DGP.

“A three-member fact-finding committee was constituted on July 14 to inquire corruption charges levelled by Ajay. The allegations were found incorrect in the report submitted on Saturday,” said Branta.

The screening committee had sportsmen, including four players from the National Institute of Sports. Two former international players, Rakesh Pammi from Nalagarh and Sanjeev (Ajay Thakur’s kin), along with former SAI coach Mehar Singh Thakur and police kabaddi team coach OP Vashisht, were also members of the committee.

Branta said Ajay should have approached the association if he had proof of some wrongdoing. Of the 12 players selected for the senior nationals, six are from Nalagarh.

“The move is aimed at capturing the association. It is being done at the behest of some politicians. No money was taken by the association from players during tournaments. Ajay should prove his allegations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ajay, addressing mediapersons in Nalagarh, said he would not apologise. He added that he was raising his voice for talented sportsmen, who had not been selected for the senior nationals. “The association members should tender their resignations. Why people, who have never participated in any sport, are running the association?” questioned he.

He came up with the example of Baldev, who had attended the national camp for Asian games two months ago, but failed to find a berth in the team.

He said being an Arjuna awardee, he had free rail travel facility and was never dependent on tickets from the association “as was being claimed”.

“A local youth, Sanju (raider) from Panjhera village in Nalagarh is a promising player so he should be given a chance,” Ajay said.

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