CHENNAI: Long jumper M Sreeshankar is a notable name missing from the list of national campers who would continue training at various Sports Authority of India centres across the country till March 31. Javelin thrower Shivpal Singh, who took part in Tokyo Olympics, has also been dropped.
Triple jumper Praveen Chitravel and high jumper Tejaswin Shankar are missing from the list too. SAI approved the extension on Tuesday for 117 elite track and field athletes (64 male and 53 female) and 45 coaching and support staff to continue with their training despite the Covid third wave scare. Athletes would be preparing primarily for two big multi-discipline events — Commonwealth Games and the Asiad — slated this year.
National record holder Sreeshankar is now training in Palakkad with his father and coach Murali. Last time the AFI wanted them to train in Benglaluru but the two refused. They requested the AFI to allow them to train in Palakkad. This time around the AFI and the SAI did not include their names.
Sreeshankar’s camp apparently had conveyed to the AFI that they would prefer to train in Palakkad. Since his name is not part of the camp, there could be a few issues for his team. Take the case of his coach, who works for Railways. Getting long leaves, if not part of the camp, may not be possible. Shreeshankar will be using his Target Olympics Podium Scheme fundings for training.
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