Asian Para Games medallists seek inquiry into coach Khanna's deleted medal prediction post
India's para badminton medallists have written to sports authorities about coach Gaurav Khanna's deleted social media prediction during the Games.
Indian para badminton medallists have emailed the Sports Ministry, SAI and BAI asking for an inquiry into coach Gaurav Khanna over a deleted post predicting medal counts and individual colours while the Asian Para Games were still underway.
Key takeaways
- Medallists emailed Sports Ministry officials, SAI leadership and BAI office bearers at 8.07 pm on Tuesday.
- Coach Gaurav Khanna predicted 16 medals on October 22, a day before the October 23 finals.
- India won 16 medals: three gold, five silver and eight bronze.
- Khanna tipped Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar for gold in men's singles SL3 and SL4.
- Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi won gold in women's doubles SL3-SU5 despite being tipped for silver.
Medallists from India's badminton contingent at the Asian Para Games have written to sports authorities to seek an inquiry into coach Gaurav Khanna over a deleted social media post predicting medal outcomes, News18 reported. The email, sent at 8.07 pm on Tuesday, went to Sports Ministry officials, the Sports Authority of India's Executive Director division, the SAI Director General and the Badminton Association of India president and secretary general. The medallists raised concerns about the post and its potential impact on athletes competing in the tournament, according to a report in The Times of India.
Why it matters
Khanna predicted on October 22, a day before the October 23 finals, that India would win 16 medals: two gold, six silver and eight bronze, News18 reported. He tipped Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar to win gold in the men's singles SL3 and SL4 categories. India matched the coach's forecast of 16 medals, but finished with three gold, five silver and eight bronze. Nitesh beat compatriot Pramod Bhagat in the men's singles SL3 final, while debutant Naveen clinched gold in the SL4 category. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi exceeded Khanna's prediction by winning gold in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 event, despite being tipped for silver.
India matched the coach's forecast of 16 medals
India's Asian Para Games badminton medal outcome versus coach's prediction
Medal colour | Khanna's prediction | Actual result |
|---|---|---|
Gold | 2 | 3 |
Silver | 6 | 5 |
Bronze | 8 | 8 |
Total | 16 | 16 |
What happens next
The medallists questioned the appropriateness of predicting medal outcomes while an international competition was still in progress, News18 reported. They highlighted the potential embarrassment and pressure such predictions could cause athletes preparing for crucial finals. The email expressed concern that the post could affect the morale of the Indian contingent as well, with athletes still competing in several finals and vying to win medals for the nation. Sports authorities have not yet announced whether they will open an inquiry into Khanna's deleted post.
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