Celebrated long jumper and and Arjuna awardee Anju Bobby George, who recently came under attack from Kerala sports minister E P Jayarajan, on Wednesday stepped down from the post of the state Sports Council President.
"Sports can be killed, but sportspersons cannot be defeated," said Anju, who became the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a World Championships in Paris in 2003.
"In the wake of the allegations, we do not see it as proper to continue in this post and therefore, me and the council of 13 officials are stepping down,"a visibly emotional Anju told a press meet here.
Anju, who was appointed to the post by the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF government, had recently accused Jayarajan of insulting her and charging her with false claims of financial irregularities.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, came to the rescue of his Cabinet colleague and said Jayarajan neither misbehaved nor abused the former athlete.
She also alleged that the Sports Lottery Scheme, launched by the CPI(M)-led LDF government (2006-11) was one of the biggest scams that has taken place in the history of the sports in the state and urged the people and the media to expose such corrupt activities in the council.
