Asia Games - Sports Ministry Withdraws Clearance for Indian Equestrian Team

The Union Sports Ministry has withdrawn its clearance to the Indian equestrian team following the restrictions imposed on the horses by the Chinese authorities, with just a day left for the equestrian competitions to begin in the Asian Games in Guangzhou.
The ministry was informed on Friday that the Chinese had cleared just three of the eight horses, presently based at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre and College in Bangalore, for participation in the Asian Games competitions.

The Indian teams were expected to compete in dressage, which begins on Sunday, and eventing.

Of the three horses cleared by the Chinese after they were based in Bangalore for weeks in quarantine, two were for eventing and one for dressage thus ruling out any possibility of any Indian team being entered for team championships.

Even the horses cleared were told to undergo another seven days of quarantine in Guangzhou. Eventing, individual and team, is scheduled to begin on November 18. The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has been informed by the ministry that under the circumstances the Government was not in a position to allow any team member or horse to proceed to Guangzhou. The EFI was asked to ascertain the willingness of the Chinese authorities to clear the horses (those that they are willing to allow into China) without further restrictions other than those that were being applied to other horses from other participating countries. The ministry was then prepared to review the matter afresh. The ministry, despite Saturday and Sunday being closed and the near-futility of the team making a last-minute dash to Guangzhou for enabling individual competitors to participate, has extended this offer to the EFI provided the Chinese relent.

It has made it clear to the EFI that it was not prepared to release the team and transport the horses, at a cost of around Rs. 2 crore, on the strength of the federation's own argument or the assessment of the International federation.

Maj J.S. Ahluwalia (retd.), the coach who is also a competitor in dressage, was however, still hopeful. He told The Hindu in Bangalore that they were still trying to get the Chinese to clear the horses. “Our horses are disease free and we have the full support of the world equestrian body.”

When asked about the futility of reaching Guangzhou now, since the dressage event was scheduled for Sunday, Ahluwalia said that since the international body was with the Indian team, the event could be rescheduled. Disappointed EFI officials said the team had met all the protocol with regard to tests and quarantine requirements that had been specified by the host nation.

“During the last seven months we have been faithfully following every step specified in the protocol signed with the Chinese,” said an official.

“After five horses initially showed positive results for antibodies, we administered vaccinations and then in November again undertook tests this time testing the samples in Australia and the US. The tests were all negative for antibodies.

“The results were sent to both the Chinese authorities and the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI). But while the FEI was fully satisfied with the tests and even communicated to the Chinese to clear the Indian team, the Chinese would not relent.”

Members of the team were disappointed with the prospect of not making it to the Games despite all the hard work. A crestfallen member claimed that the present team was India's best team in many years.

The lone Indian competitor in show-jumping, Kapilesh Ajith Bhate, with his Germany-based horse, had already reached Guangzhou, according to available information.