In a relief to the Indian athletics fans, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has cleared triple jumper Praveen Chithravel, Jyothi Yarraji, high jumper Sarvesh Kushare to take part at the 2026 Asian Games.
Chithravel, Yarraji and Kushare all were either injured or were carrying niggles. The selection committee, headed by former president Adille Sumariwalla, who met twice in two days, have cleared them after consulting the doctors.
However, 110m hurdler Tejas Shirse and long jumper Shahnawaz Khan have been left out of the squad due to injuries.
“Both Shahnawaz and Tejas are injured and so cannot travel with the team. However, all others have been cleared to take part in the Asian Games,” Sumariwalla told The Tribune on Friday.
Chithravel had a calf injury, while Shirse has a foot injury. Similarly, Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Sarvesh and women’s 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji were carrying niggles.
Rani, Gandhe dropped
Javelin star, Annu Rani, despite winning the Indian Athletics Final series in New Delhi on Thursday, has not been selected. Her winning throw of 57.50 metres, fell short of the qualifying mark of 57.62m set by the AFI.
Similarly, sprinter Nithya Gandhe, who was named as part of the 4x100m women’s relay, has been dropped from the squad over bad form. Nithya finished ninth in the 100m final on Thursday.
Avinash Sable selected
Avinash Sable, who was making a comeback from a knee injury suffered 14 months ago, has sealed his place for the Asian Games after winning the 3000m steeplechase competition. His timing of 8:32.39 was better than the qualifying standard of 8:36.57 set by the AFI.
Abhishek Pal, who has been issued a notice by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) for the presence of clomiphene, a drug used to treat female infertility, has been dropped from the team. Pal was to take part in both the 5,000m and 10,000m competitions.
Meanwhile, in javelin, Yashvir Singh’s participation as a replacement athlete has been cleared by the Sports Ministry. Singh will replace javelin ace Neeraj Chopra, who suffered an ankle ligament tear last month.
