Viral Photo of Karateka Sangdo Abab’s Journey to Asian Games Exposes Challenges Faced by Indian Sportspersons.
A photo of Sangdo Abab, a well-known Karateka from Arunachal Pradesh, went viral on social media. The photo captured him sitting near a toilet while traveling on a train to participate in the Asian Games. Sangdo Abab, along with Mesom Singhi-Kata and Johny Mangkhiya, was selected to represent India in the prestigious tournament, after successfully clearing the trials conducted by the Indian Olympic Association and the Government of India in Delhi. The Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China.
Sangdo Abab hails from Hamba Pinda village in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. His parents are Tallong Sangdo and Feyang Sangdo. This talented Karateka’s journey to the Asian Games has garnered attention and support from people across various social media platforms.
It is important to note that the welfare of sportspeople and sports associations, whether at the national or state level in India, has been a topic of controversy. In a recent development, the Kerala High Court issued a common order concerning the Karate Association of India (KAI) and its governing bodies. The court directed the Indian Olympic Association to ensure that the ad-hoc committee regulates all programs conducted by the KAI, and until further orders from the court, only the ad-hoc committee under the control of the Indian Olympic Association will be recognized as the national body.
The absence of a recognized national federation in the field of Karate led to the Delhi High Court’s intervention. The court, in response to a petition filed by Karateka Shruti Sharma, directed the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to form a Selection Committee comprising players and a senior SAI coach. This committee’s purpose is to select a competent team to represent India in Karate at the upcoming Asian Games. These legal interventions highlight the challenges faced by Karate athletes due to the lack of a unified governing body.
According to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, National Sports Federations (NSFs) bear the primary responsibility of judiciously selecting national teams for major international events based on merit. The objective is to enhance national prestige and bring glory to the country. However, internal politics and negligence within the governing bodies have hindered the progress of Karatekas and athletes from various states.
In light of these circumstances, the team at thenesports.com extends their best wishes to Sangdo Abab, Mesom Singhi-Kata, and Johny Mangkhiya as they represent India in the Asian Games. These talented Karatekas deserve support and recognition for their dedication and achievements.
Source:
- Arunachal Krarate-Do Association (AKA) Official Group Link: Facebook Group
- Sangdo Abab’s Facebook Profile: Facebook Profile
- Mesom Singhi-Kata’s Facebook Profile: Facebook Profile
- Johny Mangkhiya’s Facebook Profile: Facebook Profile
- Kerala High Court order source: Arunachal Observer
- Delhi High Court order source: LiveLaw
- National Sports Development Code of India, 2011: PDF
- Indian National Karate Team : Facebook Page
- Karate India Organisation (KIO) : Official Website
