No Games inaugural invite for P.T. Usha

KOZHIKODE - Former sprint queen P.T. Usha is upset over not being invited to the inaugural ceremony of the Commonwealth Games and maintains she has not received any e-mail communication from the organisers.

Usha laughed when she heard through the media that the organisers have sent her an invite through e-mail.

“I receive more than 40 e-mails every day and till now I have no communication at all. They are now trying to wriggle out from the mess of not inviting former athletes like me,” Usha told IANS.

Usha’ husband Sreenivasan said he was saddened by the turn of events, adding that it was a clear case of mismanagement.

“Do you know when (Delhi Chief Minister) Sheila Dikshit received the flag of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne years back, Usha along with sporting legends from our country like Prakash Padukone, Sunil Gavaskar, Milkha Singh, Satpal Singh and Anju Bobby George were there. And now look when the Games is being held in Delhi, Usha doesn’t even get an invitation…such is the state of affairs of sports management in our country,” rued Sreenivasan.

Usha added that she tried her best to get in touch with the organisers through e-mail and telephone to get passes for three budding sportspersons. “I am yet to get any response from them,” the former athlete said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of sports administrators from Kerala has reached New Delhi to witness the opening ceremony Sunday.

“If they had any love for sports and the promotion of sports in the state, instead of going to Delhi themselves, they should have sent upcoming athletes to see an event like the Commonwealth Games,” a leading former sports personality and medal winner for the country in numerous international meets told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Usha’s ward Tintu Luka is taking part in the 800 metres and the former athlete has pinned her hopes on Luka.

Usha and Luka are to reach New Delhi Oct 5.