Jyothika Sri Dandi likely to miss World Relays Championships
One of the premier women's quarter milers of the country is in danger of sitting out of the World Relays, after the Athletics Federation of India rejected her entry to National Federation Senior Athletics Championships.
Jyothika Sri Dandi, who took part at the Paris Olympics, and one of the prominent runners to help India qualify, did not meet AFI’s qualifying standards to take part in the meet that is starting in Kochi from today.
The AFI rule stipulates that Indian athletes has to participate in one domestic event, including the Grand Prix, in order to participate in the Kochi meet.
With her entry rejected, the Andhra runner will not be able to be selected for the Asian Championships that is to be held in Gumi, South Korea, next month, as the Senior Athletics Championships was a qualification meet. Further, Jyothika is now nervous about being selected for the World Relays that is to be held in Guangzhou, China, again in the month of May.
While her entry form was rejected, Jyothika claimed that she sent her entry by mistake, as she is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
“I know my entry has been rejected but I was not supposed to take part in the Kochi meet as I am in rehab as I have some pain in my quads (quadriceps muscle). I should not have sent my entry at all. It was a mistake on my part,” Jyothika told The Tribune.
When asked about the World Relays, she said it is in the hands of the federation. “I am hopeful to get selected in the team for the World Relays but if you ask me about my chances, I will say ‘unlikely’ since I have missed the Kochi event,” she added.
Sharuk Khan is another prominent athlete whose entry has been rejected on the same grounds. Khan, who broke the U-20 national record in 3000m steeplechase during the World Athletics U20 Championships last year, was equally disappointed.
“I failed to see the circular and now my entry has been rejected. I have to accept it and move one,” he said. Overall, the AFI has rejected over 40 entries for the Kochi meet.
