National level volleyball player Renu Choudhary, who is pursing a coaching course at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, has been expelled days before her written exam since she took a medical leave of more than permissible period of 15 days after undergoing a knee surgery in October.
25-year-old Renu, who represented Delhi at the National championship on four occasion including this year, said she suffered a ligament tear in her knee during training in October.
She underwent knee surgery on October 17 and was discharged a couple of days later with an advise of four-week rest.
Renu said that she was keen to appear in at least in the written exam on, scheduled for December 13, if not the practicals, but the authorities are not relenting.
"I suffered this injury during training and underwent a surgery at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital. I kept my coach Daljit Singh updated on the issue and he even asked me to submit the remaining fee of Rs 15,000 during my leave period, which my father did. I wanted to send my medical leave form along with MRI reports and other details by Fax to NIS but the coach said there is no need to worry and you can submit relevant documents post surgery," a dejected Renu told PTI.
"However, when I went there, I was told that I can't write the exams since I was not physically fit. I informed the administration that my coach Daljeet was kept in the loop but in return was told that no one informed them about it. I was just asked to vacate my hostel room. Now what do I do? I have a written exam on Tuesday and I am prepared for it but I am not being allowed," she said.
"The government says, 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao' but if this is the treatment given to national level players, is it motivating? I was abused by the administration. My father and brother have run from pillar to post, even wrote a letter to the Union Sports Minister (Vijay Goel) but we have not got help from anywhere," she said.
When contacted, coach Daljeet Singh refused to speak, saying he is not authorised to speak to the media.
D K Rathore, Academic In-charge, confirmed that Renu has been expelled.
"She was asked to go since neither she nor the coach informed us about her medical leave. The coach has also been warned," Rathore said.
When contacted, NIS Executive Director SS Roy said they are only following rules.
"Look, it's a 10-month course and we allow only 15-day medical leave. She is still limping, how will she undertake practicals that has 280 marks out of 600? We have asked her to come next year. If we allow her in written exams, others will complain why we have allowed her," Roy told PTI.
"All rules are in our manual. We are not against her, she is not our enemy but we are out there to produce quality coaches," Roy said.
However, Renu said she was never told about the attendance shortage and the expulsion letter given to her mentions only about her lack of fitness.
"If you believe me, children of influential parents do not even come but they are marked present. Others even fear to tell the their genuine injuries because there is much pressure on us. They will be asked to leave, so they continue to train despite pain. Rules are for benefit of the players, those should not be used against us. This was an on-field injury suffered during training at NIS and not outside," she alleged.
She also that she was forced live on second floor room after suffering injury as she was not provided accomodation on ground floor despite recommendations from doctors.
Renu said she can undertake practical if she is allowed to perform by demonstration.
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