Legendary PT Usha has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , demanding athletics events for boys and girls in School Games to be held together . She was protesting against the decision of the School Games Federation of India .
According to the SGFI calendar, the athletic events for boys and girls was supposed to be held separately in the fourth week of December, and in the second week of January 2016, in Nasik and Pune respectively.
Usha who has also participated in the Olympics believes that this decision is undemocratic and highly condemnable. In her letter she has urged the PM to personally look into the matter, as this is a shocking development for the Indian sports community.
Moreover, “The SGFI’s decision is a violation of human rights,” said Usha in her letter.
She also stated that when the world is crying for gender equality and this step by the federation is certainly not justified. She has also written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Sports Minister.
“It is also against the International Olympic Charter, which our country signed a century before,” said Usha, who is also a former National Athletic Coach.
She also pointed out that at present the International Association of Athletic Federation and Athletic Federation of India, both, are organising combined events for men and women, at the same time and the same venue. This is being done with a view to help women perform better.
All Usha want is for the Prime Minister to look into the matter and give necessary instructions so that the national school athletic championship for boys and girls happens together on the same date and the same venue.