Ace gymnast Pranati Das raised voice against the injustice she has faced once again for not being selected in the Indian team for the forthcoming World Cup despite having clinched the gold medal in the women’s floor exercise event in the recently-concluded 38th National Games in Uttarakhand.

Pranati, thanking Calcutta Sports Journalist’s Club for giving her and all other medal-winners from Bengal in the National Games on Thursday at the CSJC tent, said, “I have been deprived justice on previous occasions also, before Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Despite winning medals, I was not selected for the Indian team.”

"But how long this can happen? I have asked Bengal Olympic Association to look into the matter. BOA informed the association has already sent an email to the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) seeking clarification on the matter. I am waiting for the reply and justice finally.” 

Pranati’s present coach Tumpa Debnath, a former India international and national coach also echoed Pranati’s opinion and commented, “It is unfortunate. How can a gymnast be selected in the event who even did not participate in the same event in the National Games? How can a gymnast be selected for an event who failed to qualify for the same event in the National Games?”

"It was clearly said that the National Games would be the selection trial for the forthcoming World Cup series. I am shocked that the gymnast's name was omitted from the selection for the event where she won the gold medal in the National Games!"

Ritu Das who won the gold medal in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event and Pratistha Samanto who won the gold medal in the team event while silver and bronze medals in the individual events, respectively were also felicitated on the day.

Bengal women's football team who won the bronze medal were also present at the function along with their coach Dola Mukherjee. The medal-winners in swimming, Kho-Kho, and Table Tennis were given felicitation. 

Sports personalities like CAB president Snehashis Ganguly, IFA president and secretary, Ajit Banerjee, and Anirban Dutta, respectively, BOA secretary Jahar Das, Chef-dei-Mission of the Bengal’s contingent Biswarup Dey and Mohammedan Sporting secretary Ishtiaque Ahmed were present in the function.