Exclusion of Arunachal weightlifter from Commonwealth trials slammed
GUWAHATI
The Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) and other organisations in the State have slammed the exclusion of weightlifter Sambo Lapung, a consistent gold medal winner, from the trials for the Commonwealth Championships 2025.
Lapung appealed to the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) a few days ago, requesting a chance to participate in the trials scheduled for June 13-14, but his plea was rejected.
In a letter to Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha on June 5, AOA secretary general Bamang Tago sought justice for Lapung, who was allegedly ignored to accommodate Harshit Sehrawat of Haryana.
A copy of the letter was sent to Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Director General of the Sports Authority of India.
Lapung hails from the East Kameng district, which falls under the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency represented by Mr Rijiju.
'Lapung, a three-time national gold medallist and record holder, has consistently dominated the 96 kg category, securing gold at the Senior National Weightlifting Championships held in Chandigarh (2022), Itanagar (2023), and Himachal Pradesh (2024). His outstanding performances include lifting 338 kg in the 2023 Nationals, outperforming his closest competitors, including Harshit Sehrawat, who secured silver with a total of 328 kg,' Mr Tago wrote.
'Despite this, the IWF released a selection list that excluded Lapung from the 94 kg category trials, while selecting Sehrawat, typically a 102 kg lifter, based on his silver medal performance at the Inter Railways Championship (335 kg). This selection, bypassing a reigning national champion who has repeatedly outperformed the selected athlete in direct competition, has raised serious concerns over transparency, meritocracy, and possible regional bias,' he wrote.
Later, Mr Tago told reporters that Sehrawat could have been favoured because his father is a coach or because of the State he hails from.
'This matter is not only about one individual. It reflects a growing pattern of underrepresentation and neglect of athletes from the northeastern region in national-level selections. Talents such as Sambo Lapung, Kojum Taba, Jimjang Deru, and Soram Hitler Tagru have brought pride to the country. Yet, their efforts are too often overlooked during crucial opportunities,' he said.
The East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation also criticised the IWF for ignoring Lapung and sought the intervention of Mr Rijiju.
The organisation said Lapung's exclusion not only undermines his achievements but also wounds the sentiments of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the region beyond. 'This decision reinforces a recurring pattern of perceived stereotyping and discrimination against athletes from our region in mainland India,' its chairperson, Raya Flago, said.
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