Nanjing (China), Aug 22 (IANS): In a surprise move, the four overage Indian weightlifters were allowed to take part in the ongoing Asian Youth Games here Thursday but were not eligible for medals.
The four weightlifters - Chandrika Tarafdar (Women`s 48kg), Jyoti Mal (women`s 53kg), Akshay Bhagwan (Men`s 62kg) and Manpreet Kaur (women`s 63kg) - were not considered for medals but were provided with certificates of participation, reports Xinhua.
Indian weightlifting coach Narendra Kumar said he was at a loss when he learnt of the disqualification.
"We came here and no one told us there's a problem. And before the match, they were disqualified," said Kumar.
Rules stipulate that only weightlifters born in 1997 or later - meaning under 16 - are eligible to compete at the Aug 16-24 Games. But the four Indian weightlifters were born in 1996.
"India sent many weightlifters to the organising committee and also accepted the acreditation card and finally they entried. Totally, 17-year-old athletes can take part in the games. But our sport is for under 17 years old. According to this, our executive board don't allow them to take medal but they took part," said Ali Moradi, secretary general of the Asian Weightlifting Federation.
Rules stipulate that only weightlifters born in 1997 or later - meaning under 16 - are eligible to compete at the Aug 16-24 Games. But the four Indian weightlifters were born in 1996.
The local organising committee refused to comment on how the Indian weightlifters were disqualified and said that the matter has been closed.
"No statement on reports about the disqualification of more than 20 over-age AOI athletes from the 2nd Asian Youth Games, Nanjing 2013 will be issued by the organising committee of the Games," the official website of the Nanjing Youth Asian Games said. "The matter is reportedly being treated as closed," it added.
Seventeen Indians in the track and field were also found overage but they were not allowed to take part.
Indians are participating in this multi-sporting event as independent Olympic athletes because the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is serving a ban imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).