Taekwondo Director Removed Amid Match-Fixing Allegations at National Games
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Dehradun: The Indian Olympic Association has significantly reformed the officiating of the taekwondo competition at the National Games following serious allegations of "manipulation" and "match fixing."
In a statement, the IOA disclosed that it had "received complaints indicating that certain officials appointed by the Taekwondo Federation of India had predetermined the outcomes of matches in 10 out of 16 weight categories well before the competition commenced."
The IOA further reported that the asking prices for medals were ₹3 lakh for gold, ₹2 lakh for silver, and ₹1 lakh for bronze.
T Praveen Kumar, the previous director of competition for taekwondo, has been succeeded by S Dinesh Kumar. Additionally, 50% of the previously nominated 'Technical Officials' have been replaced with qualified officials holding either international or national certifications. The matches will be recorded on video, and a team of officials appointed by the Games Technical Conduct Committee will oversee the four-day taekwondo competition beginning on Tuesday.
PT Usha, president of the IOA, expressed her astonishment that the outcomes of National Games medals were allegedly determined outside the competition arena prior to the events.
"The Indian Olympic Association is dedicated to ensuring fairness for all athletes and safeguarding them from individuals attempting to manipulate the competition and damage the reputation of the National Games," she stated.
In response to the complaints, the IOA's three-member Prevention of Manipulation of Competition (PMC) Committee conducted an investigation and proposed necessary changes. The committee discovered that the competition director had appointed office-bearers and executive committee members from various state associations, as well as an equipment vendor, as Sports Specific Volunteers for the selection trials.
"It is crucial that we implement the PMC Committee's recommendations to uphold the integrity of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand," remarked Sunaina Kumari, chairman of the Games Technical Conduct Committee.
"Taekwondo athletes have approached the IOA, reporting that during last year's National Championships in Pondicherry, they experienced similar issues."
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