Messy miss for cadet judokas

MORE than a month ago, they earned their place in the national team by finishing on the podium at the open selection trials.

- FIROZ MIRZA

The teenage judokas with a majority of them hailing from modest backgrounds reached New Delhi from across the country to take part in the trials. They also paid Rs 2000 registration fee each and Rs 1500 entry fee per head apart from incurring travelling.

Lodging and boarding expenses hoping they will represent the country in the Asian Cadet Championships in Mungyeong, South Korea. All that went in vain as delay in getting visas forced them to shun their journey and with it, their dreams of competing at the continental event also ended.

The trials were held from July 20 to 25 at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in the national capital. Apart from picking up cadet judokas for the Asian tournament, athletes were also selected for the World Championships Cadets individuals and Asian Junior Championships.