Rowing final runs into controversy

HYDERABAD: The women’s single scull 500m final, the last event of the day, rowed into controversy in the presence of Andhra chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Gurpreet Kaur, the Punjab rower who had won the gold in the 2,000-m single scull and was in the lead on Tuesday, claimed she was hit purposely by Andhra Pradesh’s Manjula Rai. Daljit Singh, the Punjab coach was seen protesting even as the authorities ordered a re-race.Kerala’s Jincymol Verghese prevailed in the re-race and Gurpreet claimed the silver, and Manjula bronze.
But it was a golden day for Andhra Pradesh, their eves claiming the three other golds. “This is our moment. We have toiled hard for the last six months and the results are showing. I am very satisfied,� Jose Jacob said.
The Services made a clean sweep in all the men’s events. “We intend to come back next year with some women participants,� Services manager Lt. Col. Simarjit Singh Multani sounded his warning.
“The Services rowers get the best facilities,� West Bengal’s Gurpreet Singh, who partnered Rishi Kumar Singh to claim the silver in the men’s double scull, said. “It’s hard for rowers from other states to avail practice facilities. But Andhra has the best infrastructure.�