Union sports ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are finally agreed to the Gymnastics Federation of India’s (GFI) appeal for not omitting Dipa Karmakar’s name from the four-member female gymnasts’ Indian team for the Hangzhou Asian Games, commencing on 22nd September. 

GFI had already sent the list of the final team to the AI and union sports ministry for approval. But SAI objected to the inclusion of Dipa's name in the team mentioning that Dipa failed to fulfill the criteria of the union sports ministry. 

Significantly, Dipa was out of training and competition following an ACL operation in 2017 and then a 21-month ban for being alleged of doping. Naturally, she could not take part in the competitions after 2019.

Dipa's coach Bishweswar Nandi however commented, "Then why GFI organized a selection trial for the Asian Games? GFI must have informed the SAI and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs before the selection trial and Dipa came first in the selection trial. Then how her name can be omitted from the list?" Nandi also added, "Gymnastics is a technical game. If a gymnast has to be assessed then you have to watch his or her current performance, not the past history. That is why, selection trial becomes important." 

Ashok Sahoo, GFI selection committee chairman, also heeded importance to the point commenting, “Dipa has not been competing for the last few years because of injuries and a doping suspension but we need to consider that she has topped the trials."

Simultaneously, Sahoo revealed that he has received a positive response from SAI that Dipa's name is likely to be added to the Asian Games list within the week. A ministry official confirmed Sahoo's claims, stating: “Dipa and the federation (GFI) have written to us requesting for eligibility criteria relaxation and the matter will come up for discussion this week and, in all probability, she will be considered,”

Dipa who is yet to know about the SAI and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs' decision spoke over the phone on Tuesday, "I have been in full-fledged training under the guidance of Bishwerswar sir. I am fit now. Given opportunity I will be able to deliver my best."

When asked how she has been motivating herself, the 29-year-old Olympian gymnast divulged, “Several people around me whisper that at this age I might not be successful as I was. That is increasing my zeal to perform and my sir is there who inspires me constantly.”