Just days before the start of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, a controversy brewed up as boxer Lovlina Borgohain complained of her coach not getting the required accreditation to accompany her during the event. Somdev Devvarman, former India tennis star, has given a piece of advice to Lovlina on the issue.
Somdev cited his own example, suggesting he didn’t get to be with his coach with him in 2010 either. In such times, athletes should pull up their socks and work harder towards achieving their goal rather than getting into accreditation issues.
“I didn’t have my coach in 2010 but you are experienced athletes – you are supposed to pull your socks up and perform rather than getting into the issue of accreditations,” he said.
Lovlina had shared a lengthy post on social media, alleging ‘harassment’ by authorities over the inclusion of her coach into the Commonwealth Games. The pugilist also alleged that the tussle with the authorities was affecting her training.
“Today with a lot of grief, I want to tell everyone about the continuous harassment going on with me. The coaches who helped me win an Olympic medal are always being sidelined which has severely impacted my training schedule,” Lovlina had written on social media.
The Indian Olympics Association eventually agreed to her demands and included her coach Sandhya into the Birmingham Games by giving the required accreditation.
Somdev spoke about a number of other athletes who will be participating in the Birmingham Games. The winner of Gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games said that he is confident of seeing PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu and Manika Batra adding to India’s medals tally.
As far as India’s medals tally is concerned, the 37-year-old feels it would be tough for India to beat the previous edition’s tally of 66 since shooting is no longer a part of the event. Devvarman still feels India would be able to bag 50 medals.
