Taekwondo Official Replaced at National Games Following Serious Complaints of Result Fixing

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The National Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) has significantly changed leadership for the Taekwondo competition.

S. Dinesh Kumar has been appointed as the new director of competition, replacing T. Praveen Kumar. This decision follows allegations of result manipulation in 10 out of 16 weight categories before the events began.

Sunaina Kumari, GTCC chairperson, confirmed that the Prevention of Manipulation of Competition Committee's (PMCC) recommendations were accepted. "It is important that we take on board the recommendations of the PMC Committee and protect the integrity of the National Games Uttarakhand," she stated in a release.

IOA's Response to Allegations

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha supported GTCC's decision, emphasising fairness in sports. "It is shocking and sad that the National Games medals were allegedly decided away from the field of play even before the start of competitions," Usha remarked. She reiterated IOA's commitment to ensuring fair play for all athletes.

The PMCC made four key recommendations to address unethical practices affecting the Games. The first was to replace the director of competition with a suitable candidate. They also advised replacing at least half of the technical officials with those holding national or international certifications.

Measures to Ensure Fair Play

The committee suggested recording the entire competition on video and preserving footage for future reference if needed. Additionally, they recommended that a team of officials nominated by GTCC be present throughout the event to minimise manipulation risks and ensure fair chances for all athletes.

According to reports, some officials appointed by the Taekwondo Federation of India were involved in fixing match outcomes long before competitions started. The asking price for medals was reportedly Rs. 3 lakh for gold, Rs. 2 lakh for silver, and Rs. 1 lakh for bronze.

Upcoming Taekwondo Events

A total of 16 Kyorugi and 10 Poomsae taekwondo competitions are scheduled in Haldwani from February 4-8. The GTCC aims to maintain transparency and fairness during these events by implementing PMCC's recommendations.

The GTCC's actions reflect a commitment to upholding integrity in sports competitions. By addressing these issues proactively, they aim to restore trust in the National Games and ensure athletes can compete fairly without external influences affecting outcomes.