Anju Bobby George, IOA want rower Dattu Bhoknal's ban to be reviewed

Anju Bobby George, the Chairperson of the Athletes' Commission, has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra and requested a review of the two-year ban imposed on rower Dattu Baban Bhoknal.

The Rowing Federation of India (RFI) had imposed a two-year ban on Bhoknal last year after disciplinary issues regarding his performance in the Asian Games in 2018. In her letter, George stated that the punishment handed out was a harsh one and could potentially spoil Bhoknal's sporting career. She also urged the IOA to lift the ban so the rower stands a chance of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics.

"After studying the matter based on the communications between the RFI and the athlete we feel it should be reviewed if the alleged lapse from the athlete deserves a 2 year ban which is too harsh on an athlete having very good performance record in the past in international level including Olympics,” she wrote.

“So the Athletes Commission feels IOA should discuss with RFI regarding this issue to help the athlete participate in the Olympics 2020 as two year is harsh punishment on an athlete for the alleged lapse, which might spoil his sporting career,” the letter read.

Following the letter, the IOA shot a mail to the RFI, asking the Federation to share the rules of the player suspension and the regulations of appeal by an athlete against his ban. Batra, in his letter to RFI President Rajlaxmi Singh Deo mentioned, "Please share with me the rules, which allow for a two year ban except in cases of doping or causing willful serious injuries to another athlete during an event.

"An athlete spends the best part of his/her life to prepare to get glory for the country and we administrators should keep that in mind while taking such strong decisions. I do understand from your letters that there are issues against the athlete but do they warrant a 2 year ban? My request to the RFI will be to please look into the matter once again with an open mind and open heart."

Bhoknal had made waves when he qualified for the 2016 Rio Games after winning a silver medal at the FISA Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta in the men's single sculls event. He became the ninth rower for India to qualify for the Olympics. Bhoknal clinched a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games in the Men's singles Quadruple sculls event in 2018.