Oram seeks probe into exclusion of Dutee

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, July 22: Terming Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand’s exclusion from the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games as “unfortunate” Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has written a letter to Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal seeking his intervention into the matter.The way Athletics Federation of India excluded her from the team after selecting her is most unfortunate, Oram has stated in his letter. It is alleged that she was victim of a conspiracy by Athletics Federation of India and other sports bodies, Oram said.Instead of providing encouragement and protection, the internal politics and partial attitude of some sports organisations could ruin the future of brilliant athletes in the country, Oram observed.Despite being poor, Dutee has brought laurels to the country and earned international name and fame for her exceptional hard work and dedication to the sports.She has written to different sports bodies, organisations and eminent people seeking their intervention in the matter to provide justice to her.Her exclusion seems to be the outcome of the conspiracy hatched by Athletics Federation of India.Oram has requested the Sports Minister to order a high level enquiry into the matter and take strong action against the officials involved in such crimes.The BJP leader from Odisha has also requested Sonowal to help sprinter Dutee Chand to participate in the Commonwealth Games and other future sports events.