Latest news with #AssociationofIndianUniversities
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First Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Association of Indian Universities takes strict action after World University Games fiasco
The Association of Indian Universities has suspended their joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon and launched an investigation after multiple Indian athletes missed participation at the ongoing World University Games. read more Devyaniba Zala was another athlete who calimed missing World University Games due to admin mistake. Image: Devyaniba Zala on Instagram The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended its joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon and instituted a three-member inquiry panel to investigate the 'mismanagement' that led to selected athletes missing participation in the ongoing World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad was mired in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Badminton players awarded medal after missing Games However, the AIU said following negotiations with FISU (the international body for university sports), all 12 members of the squad have been awarded medals and certificates as is the norm. Rohan Kumar, Darshan Pujari, Aditi Bhatt, Abhinash Mohanty, Viraj Kuvale, and Alisha Khan were part of the 12-member squad but did not get to play. Woman quarter-miler Devyaniba Zala also alleged that she could not compete as her name went 'missing because of late alteration by the officials in submitting the confirmation list'. 'The inquiry panel will investigate the entire matter and to ensure that it works impartially, we have decided to suspend our joint secretary Baljit Singh Skehon. The panel will submit its report within 15 days,' AIU Secretary General Dr Pankaj Mittal told PTI. 'In addition, the AIU has also ensured that athletes who were denied participation due to the manager's mistake have been given certificates and medals by FISU. This was after we held discussions with FISU,' Mittal added. Sekhon was at the helm of the Indian delegation that is currently in Germany and was responsible for the drafting of the names of officials and athletes which were finalised for the Games that will conclude on July 27. The panel will be headed by Anil Kumar Kalkal, who is the vice chancellor Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur. Kalkal and Birender Singh are the two members of the committee. Earlier, a livid Sports ministry also took note of the development. 'Clearly, they are unable to manage the affairs properly. Probably, the solution is a separate federation to handle administration. A revamp is needed because university sport is our best bet to find high-potential athletes,' a ministry source said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It is obviously sad that something like this happened and the country was embarrassed. This will be thoroughly looked into,' he added.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
AIU joint secretary suspended after gross mismanagement at World University Games
On the directive of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon after controversies related to mismanagement in athletes participation emerged from the ongoing World University Games in Rhine Ruhr, Germany. Sekhon is head of the Indian delegation and currently in Germany. He was one of the key officials responsible for shortlisting officials accompanying the Indian contingent for the July 16 to 27 World University Games. The administrative panel of AIU, in an order dated 22 July 2025, has set up a four-member panel to probe the criticism that has embarrassed the nation on a global stage. 'In view of the communication dated 21 July 2025 received from the Office of the Executive Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and recent reports published by various national media outlets concerning the reported non-inclusion of Indian athletes, exclusion of designated coaches, procedural lapses in the registration process, and penalties imposed for non-compliance with jersey specifications during the FISU World University Games 2025 (Germany), the Hon'ble President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)… hereby place Dr. Baljit Singh Sekhon, Joint Secretary under suspension with immediate effect,' the letter in possession of The Indian Express read. The four-member panel set by AIU on Tuesday will probe official apathy and mismanagement at the ongoing World University Games in Germany and will have to submit its inquiry report within 15 days. Earlier on Tuesday, Association of Indian Universities (AIU) had come under the scanner of the Sports Ministry following allegations of 'mismanagement and incompetence' at the ongoing World University Games in Germany. The Ministry wants to revamp the organisation after introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in Parliament on Wednesday. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad at the ongoing Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, found itself in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. 'It is clear that the body is unable to manage University sports. University sports is our best bet to create world-class athletes and still there are so many gaps leading to mismanagement,' a sports ministry source said. 'A revamp is needed and the solution is to have a proper functioning federation instead of nodal bodies to operate University sports,' the source added. While AIU and Sports Games Federation of India (SGFI) are not counted as National Sports Federations (NSFs), they remain the representative bodies for events like World University Games conducted by International University Sports Federation. Apart from the badminton gaffe, athletics also suffered as names were removed from the start list at the last moment. Quarter-miler Devyaniba Zala took to Instagram to point out that her name went missing from the start list at the last moment. 'I was told that I will run in 400m and Relays when they selected me for the University Games. However, my name was not present in the start list for the 400m due to the causal approach,' Zala told The Indian Express over a phone call. 'I was in good shape to run my personal best and have been preparing for this event for a long time,' she added. Similar to Zala, Federation Cup silver medalist Seema couldn't compete in the 10,000m event as her name was missing too from the entry list. Adding to the selection blunders, AIU was also fined 1000 euros for flouting the jersey regulations in badminton. As per the BWF rules, the last name, as recorded in the BWF database, and if desired, the initials of first name can be printed on the back of a jersey. The same rule was followed at the 2025 World University Games. However, in a violation of the rule, the Indian jerseys had full names of the players printed on the back. 'This is gross negligence and ignorance,' a player said on the condition of anonymity. The efforts to reach AIU officials via phone and text went unanswered.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
AIU suspends joint secretary Sekhon for World University Games fiasco, ensures medals for shuttlers who missed out
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended its joint secretary, Baljit Singh Sekhon and instituted a three-member inquiry panel to investigate the 'mismanagement' that led to selected athletes missing participation in the ongoing World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad was mired in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. However, the AIU said following negotiations with FISU (the international body for university sports), all 12 members of the squad have been awarded medals and certificates, as is the norm. Rohan Kumar, Darshan Pujari, Aditi Bhatt, Abhinash Mohanty, Viraj Kuvale, and Alisha Khan were part of the 12-member squad but did not get to play. Woman quarter-miler Devyani Bazala also alleged that she could not compete as her name went 'missing because of a late alteration by the officials in submitting the confirmation list'. 'The inquiry panel will investigate the entire matter, and to ensure that it works impartially, we have decided to suspend our joint secretary, Baljit Singh Skehon. The panel will submit its report within 15 days,' AIU Secretary General Dr Pankaj Mittal told PTI. 'In addition, the AIU has also ensured that athletes who were denied participation due to the manager's mistake have been given certificates and medals by FISU. This was after we held discussions with FISU,' Mittal added. ALSO READ: Sports tribunal, athlete centricity among key features in Sports Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament Sekhon was at the helm of the Indian delegation that is currently in Germany and was responsible for the drafting of the names of officials and athletes, which were finalised for the Games that will conclude on July 27. The panel will be headed by Anil Kumar Kalkal, who is the Vice Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur. Kalkal and Birender Singh are the two members of the committee. Earlier, a livid Sports Ministry also took note of the development. 'Clearly, they are unable to manage the affairs properly. Probably, the solution is a separate federation to handle administration. A revamp is needed because university sport is our best bet to find high-potential athletes,' a ministry source said. 'It is obviously sad that something like this happened, and the country was embarrassed. This will be thoroughly looked into,' he added. Related Topics World University Games
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Sports ministry wants to revamp Association of Indian Universities after introduction of National Sports Governance Bill
Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the body responsible for university-level sport in the country, has come under the scanner of the Sports Ministry following allegations of 'mismanagement and incompetence' at the ongoing World University Games in Germany. The Ministry wants to revamp the organisation after introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in Parliament on Wednesday. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad at the ongoing Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, found itself in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. 'It is clear that the body is unable to manage University sports. University sports is our best bet to create world-class athletes and still there are so many gaps leading to mismanagement,' a sports ministry source said. 'A revamp is needed and the solution is to have a proper functioning federation instead of nodal bodies to operate University sports,' the source added. While AIU and Sports Games Federation of India (SGFI) are not counted as National Sports Federations (NSFs), they remain the representative bodies for events like World University Games conducted by International University Sports Federation. Apart from the badminton gaffe, athletics also suffered as names were removed from the start list at the last moment. Quarter-miler Devyaniba Zala took to Instagram to point out that her name went missing from the start list at the last moment. 'I was told that I will run in 400m and Relays when they selected me for the University Games. However, my name was not present in the start list for the 400m due to the causal approach,' Zala told The Indian Express over a phone call. 'I was in good shape to run my personal best and have been preparing for this event for a long time,' she added. Similar to Zala, Federation Cup silver medalist Seema couldn't compete in the 10,000m event as her name was missing too from the entry list. Fined for Jersey Infringement Adding to the selection blunders, AIU was also fined 1000 euros for flouting the jersey regulations in badminton. As per the BWF rules, the last name, as recorded in the BWF database, and if desired, the initials of first name can be printed on the back of a jersey. The same rule was followed at the 2025 World University Games. However, in a violation of the rule, the Indian jerseys had full names of the players printed on the back. 'This is gross negligence and ignorance,' a player said on the condition of anonymity. The efforts to reach AIU officials via phone and text went unanswered.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Sports Ministry mulls new federation after AIU blunder at World University Games
The Sports Ministry is considering setting up a new federation for university sports after mismanagement by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) caused Indian athletes to miss events at the World University Games in Germany. read more Devyaniba Zala was among the Indian athletes who were barred from participating. Devyaniba Zala/Instagram New Delhi: Livid with the 'mismanagement' that led to embarrassment for India in the World University Games, the sports ministry is considering the prospect of acting against the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) by setting up a separate federation to handle the administration of university-level sports. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad at the ongoing Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany found itself hounded by controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In addition, woman quarter-miler Devyaniba Zala also alleged that she could not compete as her name went 'missing because of late alteration by the officials in submitting the confirmation list'. The ministry has taken note of the developments, it is reliably learnt. 'Clearly, they are unable to manage the affairs properly. Probably, the solution is a separate federation to handle administration. A revamp is needed because university sport is our best bet to find high-potential athletes,' a ministry source said. 'It is obviously sad that something like this happened and the country was embarrassed. This will be thoroughly looked into,' he added. The AIU, which is the nodal body for university-level sports in the country, acknowledged the incident related to badminton and its secretary general Dr Pankaj Mittal said the 'matter is being investigated.' The athletes, meanwhile, could only lament the lapses. 'The frustrating thing is the officials don't even admit their mistakes or show any remorse,' an athlete competing at the Games had said after the fiasco. '…the team travelled all the way, and yet in the manager's meeting they missed out names. I don't know how it is possible to overlook such a basic responsibility.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
