PT Usha seeks report on match-fixing allegations in National Games Netball

Following the Kerala Olympic Association's allegation of match-fixing involving bribery in connection with women's Traditional Netball competition at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha reached the venue to seek a report from the organisers.
Complainant Committee Chairman Ajit Singh accompanied her.

After Kerala's Chef de Mission Sebastian Xavier clarified KOA's stand against the refereeing errors to Usha, the National Netball Federation officials have agreed to pay attention in future matches. KOA President V Sunil Kumar, General Secretary Rajeev, and others also met Usha.

IOA has sent a letter urging the Federation to respond within an hour on Kerala's allegations. Onmanorama had reported KOA's allegations and its claims that hosts Uttarakhand ‘bought’ a gold medal.

As per the complaint filed by Sunil Kumar on Friday,  KOA alleged that the traditional Netball event was 'seriously compromised due to multiple instances of bias and unfair practices, casting a shadow over the competition's integrity'.

The KOA had also flagged the lack of camera coverage for the event. "... that in itself, made the match vulnerable to claims of unfair practices, as there was no way to verify the procedure in case of any disputes independently".

"Moreover, the competition referee's conduct was highly questionable. There appeared to be clear favouritism toward the Uttarakhand players, with several decisions seemingly influenced by bias rather than fairness," KOA had alleged.

Though Kerala won their match against Karnataka on Saturday, they couldn't advance to the quarterfinals as they had lost the first two pool round matches. 

Although Kerala's men's and women's teams have been eliminated from the traditional netball competition, they will still compete in the Fast Five event.