Top five controversies that rocked Indian sports in 2023

Although India performed exceedingly well at the Asian Games, there were controversial decisions.

Indeed, sports are more than just a source of entertainment. They serve as a mirror to life, reflecting the highs and lows, the struggles and triumphs, and the sheer unpredictability that we often encounter in our own lives.

Athletes, whether they are part of a team or competing individually, embody a passion for their sport and a commitment to discipline that is truly inspiring. Their dedication, perseverance, and resilience in the face of adversity can motivate us to strive for our own goals and overcome the challenges we face in our lives.

However, like life, the world of sports is not without its share of controversies. These can range from disputes over rules and regulations, and allegations of unfair play, to more serious issues such as doping and corruption. Such controversies can cast a shadow over the sports community, affecting not just the athletes involved, but also their fans and the reputation of the sport itself.

In this article, we will look back at the top five controversies that shocked sports fraternity in 2023. 

Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena facing troubles during javelin throw at the Asian Games 2023.

During Asian Games 2023, two significant controversies involved Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and rising athlete Kishore Kumar Jena. Neeraj faced a situation where his initial throw was not recorded due to a technical glitch, leading to a request for a rethrow. In a similar vein, Kishore Kumar was disqualified on his second attempt despite clear proof that his foot did not cross the line.

Neeraj stepped in to resolve the dispute and advocated for Kishore, which resulted in a review of the replays and the acceptance of Kishore’s attempt. In the end, Neeraj clinched the gold medal and Kishore secured the silver medal at the event.

Jyothi Yarraji getting disqualified in women’s 100m hurdles at Asian Games

Despite numerous controversies, Indian athletes have repeatedly shown their resilience and self-advocacy skills. A prime example of this is the Indian athlete Jyothi Yarraji. During the women’s 100m hurdles final, Jyothi initially won the bronze medal. However, in a surprising turn of events, she was disqualified by the officials, even though it was apparent that the false start was made by the Chinese athlete, Yanni Wu.

Undeterred, Jyothi engaged in an extensive dialogue with the officials, eventually convincing them to review the replays. This led to the disqualification of Yanni Wu and consequently, Jyothi’s medal was upgraded to silver.

Referee denying a clear goal by the Indian football team during the match against Malaysia in Merdeka Cup

Despite the unfavorable state of the pitch, a goal in the 57th minute stirred up a considerable dispute during India’s match against Malaysia in the Merdeka Cup.

At that point, with India lagging behind at 2-3, Lallianzuala Chhangte managed to score a leveling goal. However, to everyone’s astonishment, the referee dismissed the goal, even though there was undeniable proof of the ball crossing the line. The Indian team challenged the decision, but their attempts were futile, and they eventually lost the match with a score of 4-2.

United World Wrestling suspended WFI due to delay in election. 

In addition to the internal disputes within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) throughout the year, a major blow was dealt when the United World Wrestling (UWW) suspended the WFI due to its failure to hold its election within the stipulated period.

Consequently, Indian wrestlers were forced to participate in the World Championships as neutral competitors, thus losing the chance to represent their country under its flag.

Indian Wushu team not being provided a visa to participate in the Asian Games by the host nation

Three Wushu athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, namely Mepung Lamgu, Nyeman Wangsu and Onilu Tega, were unable to participate in the Asian Games. They were denied visas by the Chinese authorities, who issued stapled visas instead of stamped ones. This decision was not accepted by the Indian foreign ministry, as India does not recognize stapled visas as valid travel documents.

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