Sportspersons find themselves at the centre of a slanging match between Jharkhand Olympic Association and the state government that has rejected JOA’s unilateral decision not to participate in next year’s national games in Goa.

“I am not aware under what authority JOA has decided to boycott the Goa event. I want to clarify that Jharkhand players will participate in the next national games and the state government has already started preparations,” sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri told The Telegraph from Bokaro on Saturday.

At the core of the dispute is the probe into the affairs of JOA and National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) that face allegations of corruption in the purchase of equipment worth Rs 34crore for the 34th National Games held in Ranchi in 2011.

JOA president R.K. Anand, who is also working chairman of NGOC, has cited two reasons for announcing that they would not participate in the Goa games, scheduled to begin from March 30, 2019. One that the probe against them was being unfairly conducted with only NGOC members being targeted; and two, that the state government was apathetic towards the needs of sportspersons.

Now sportsperson have also come out against JOA decision.

On October 27, Anand alleged that the state anti-corruption bureau was only targeting NGOC officials even though several officials of the state government were members of purchase and tender committees.

The JOA office at Morabadi had been sealed too, he said.

Anand also accused the state sports department of failing to honour prize money commitments to medal winning sportspersons, a charge Bauri denied.

So far, the bureau has submitted chargesheets against NGOC officials Madhukant Pathak and S.M. Hashmi, besides then sports director P.C. Mishra. Investigations against Anand are still on.

State sportspersons and associations are unhappy with the developments. Some are openly saying that Anand’s declaration of not participating in the Goa games was a ploy to pressure the state government.

Hockey Jharkhand president Bhola Nath Singh, who si also secretary general of Jharkhand State Wrestling Association, blamed JOA squarely. “I partly agree with JOA as far as issues of players are concerned. But I strongly opposed JOA’s decision to boycott the games. This is a tactic to pressure the state government to go slow on investigations,” he said.

Top ranked archer Jhano Hansda was aghast. “National games are like mini Olympics. If you don’t allow players to participate, they will get demoralised. Players practice round-the-year to make a mark in national and international events,” she said, adding that it was wrong to victimise players.

Hockey player Nikki Pradhan, who has represented Jharkhand in the Asia Cup, agreed. “We are meant to play because we are sportspersons. I am very keen to participate in the Goa games,” she said.

Railway hockey coach Samurai Tete said whatever the issue, a boycott wasn’t the solution. “Players may have grievances but that doesn’t mean we should not participate in the national games,” she said.

A lawn ball player who has participated in several international tournaments, decried the ongoing tussle too.

“JOA has raised some genuine issues in favour of players, like delay in payment of cash awards, government jobs, etc. But boycotting the games is no solution. It will be a big loss for players as well as Jharkhand,” he said.

Senior joint secretary of Jharkhand Swimming Association Upendra Tiwari alleged JOA was being monopolised by some people. “During every national game JOA throws tantrums. Anand has, in fact, promoted and shielded the very people who allegedly siphoned off government funds,” he alleged.

Bauri has denied Anand’s charges. “Whatsoever promises the government made, like cash rewards and jobs, my department is fulfilling. The 2011 games scam is under investigation. It seems JAO members are trying to put pressure on the government,” he said, adding that he had, in fact, recommended a CBI probe into the matter.