IOA chief Batra asks RFI to review Asiad gold medallist rower Bhokanal's 2-year-ban

Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra on Friday asked the Rowing Federation of India (RFI) to review its decision to ban Dattu Bhokanal for two years for stopping a race midway during the 2018 Asian Games, saying it was a harsh punishment for a first time offence.

Batra's intervention came after former World Championships bronze medallist long jumper Anju Booby George brought the matter to IOA's notice through a letter.

Anju, who is IOA's Athletes Commission chairman, had asked for a reduction in the ban period of Bhokanal in view of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

"I request you to please re-look into it because no rule to my knowledge will allow RFI to suspend an athlete for more than 6 months for first offence if it was wilful," Batra said, while writing to RFI President Rajalakshmi Deo.

Bhokanal won one of the Indian quartet that won a gold in the men's quadruple sculls event in the Asian Games but later left the race midway during the single sculls event.

In his ...