Weightlifting (file photo)
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
A 27-member weightlifting team, including the country’s first junior world champion weightlifter Harshada Garuda, is in trouble after being sent to Russia without funds. The Russian Weightlifting Federation and the hosts have made it clear to the trainers of the team that went to the Chekhov Sports Base in Moscow for preparations that if they were not given 40 thousand five hundred US dollars (about Rs 33 lakh) by Thursday, they would be forced to eat the team’s food. Have to stop The team has requested SAI to send them US dollars as soon as possible, so that they can get rid of the trouble. SAI Director General Sandeep Pradhan has already written a letter to the Joint Secretary, Eurasia Department, Ministry of External Affairs, to provide US dollars to the team through the Indian Embassy in Moscow.
Junior world champion Harshada also included in the team
Apart from Harshada Garuda, who won gold in last year’s World Junior Weightlifting Championship, and Akanksha Vyavaye, who won silver, 19 weightlifters and six support staff from National Center of Excellence Patiala were sent to Russia for preparations from NIS Patiala. The team has to make preparations there till June 5. The weightlifters reached Moscow only on 15 May, but none of the team members were given any amount along with them. Due to which the team members could not convert rupees into US dollars at the Indian airport.
