Bengaluru: Following an impressive performance of our athletes in the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Karnataka government has included a retired Hockey player in the sportspersons list for the Paris2024 Olympics.

On the occasion of the 75^th Independence celebration, the Chief Minister has announced the Amrith Sports Adoption program for Paris Olympics, which will be held in 2024. Surprisingly, while preparing sportspersons for Paris Olympics, the Youth and Sports Department has included retired hockey player S.V. Sunil in the list.

Besides, the department has also included a girl aged 12 years in the list raised the eyebrow of many. Ironically, the Youth and Sports Affairs department has not considered the sportsperson who won the medals in the recently held National Championship.  Instead, the department has included the sportspersons in the list who have not won any medals in the National Championship tournament.

Jessi Sandesh who won the gold medal in the High jump at National Championship not get a place in the list. While contacted Rajuvelu, secretary of the Karnataka Athletic Association (KAA), said that the list was prepared three months back, interestingly the Amrith Sports Adoption scheme has less than two months old. 

Though the government has announced the scheme for a noble cause, however, the authorities concerned has not selected deserved sportspersons in the list. Two Siddi community girls have also been selected for the Amrith Sports Adoption scheme.