China Asian Games 2023 is being run by clumsy officials with a grudge against India

The Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China has been a mixed experience for the Indian contingent so far. While they have had some podium finishes, with a total of 84 medals, including 21 gold medals, several controversies and reports of goof-ups have, kind of, soured their overall experience.

The Athletics Federation of India's Senior Vice-President, Anju Bobby George told India Today TV, "China is targeting Indian players at the Asian Games using multiple wrong decisions and [we] will lodge a protest against the officials."

Speaking on the same, Rajya Sabha MP and former Olympian PT Usha told ANI, "Things like these should not happen at the World level."

Bobby George and Usha certainly have a point. After all, China's officials have at best been lousy in dealing with the Indian contingent.

Here's a look at the sub-standard refereeship clubbed with lazy glitches and similar incidents so far in the tournament. 

Stapled visa controversy

• The Asian Games, for Indians, kicked off under the shadow of a controversy concerning athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• The wushu athletes were reportedly issued stapled visas as China claims parts of the state of Arunachal Pradesh as theirs.

• Following the reports, the Indian Minister for Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur cancelled his trip to the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

ALSO READ: Anurag Thakur cancels China trip after Arunachal athletes are denied entry to Asian Games 2023

Javelin drama

Neeraj Chopra

• The officials seated to conduct the men's javelin throw event, on Wednesday (October 4), saw a major glitch in calculations, not once, but twice.
• Neeraj Chopra, the poster boy of Indian athletics, was on the receiving end of this mess when his first javelin throw, which was undoubtedly a medal-worthy one, vanished from the books.
• Chopra, who ultimately finished with gold, with an 88.88-metre throw in his fifth attempt, was visibly upset and was seen discussing the same with officials who couldn't locate the mark of his first throw.
• This incident made Chopra reattempt his first throw, totalling seven throws in the process.

ALSO READ: India sweeps javelin throw at Asian Games, Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena win gold and silver

Kishore Kumar Jena

• His compatriot, Kishore Kumar Jena, another Indian javelin thrower also had his own share of misfortune in the same final event.
• His second throw was ruled as a foul, resulting in the Odisha athlete asking for a review.
• During the review, it was found that he was well within the line, making it a valid attempt.

Speaking about these goof-ups, Anju Bobby George, the Senior Vice-President Athletics Federation of India, said after the win,

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Annu Rani's gold

• Annu Rani, another Indian javelin thrower, experienced a similar incident a day prior (October 3) during the finals of the javelin throw event.
• Her first attempt was not promptly measured, leading to a five-minute argument before the measurement was finally recorded.

Jyothi Yarraji's silver

• The 100m hurdles final on October 2 also saw a baffling incident involving Chinese athlete Yanni Wu and India's Jyothi Yarraji.
• Wu was to be disqualified for a false start, but a mix-up led to the Indian runner being mistakenly disqualified instead.
• After a thorough review, the correct decision was made, awarding Yarraji the silver medal.

• Wu, later, accepted her mistake, publicly expressed her regret, and apologised to Jyothi who was upgraded to a silver from a bronze. 

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Bhavani Devi's allegations

• Commonwealth medalist, fencer Bhavani Devi, looking to be the first Indian to reach the Asiad semis, had to face defeat, which led to her being knocked out. 
• She alleged that biased refereeing decisions favoured her Chinese opponent, Shao Yaqi, in turn, leading to her 7-15 defeat.
• Bhavani expressed disappointment with the referees, who rapidly awarded points to her opponent.
• Despite her protests and unsuccessful review, the officials stood firm and did not change their decision.

Now, it's not just India facing problems at the Asian Games. North Korea is angry too.

North Koreans charge at the referee

• North Korean players, after dashing out of the hockey quarter-finals, on Sunday (October 1), charged at the referee who had given a penalty kick to the opponent, Japan.
• The North Korean coach later accepted that such heated incidents are common in the game, but said, what they did was "acceptable", given the injustice meted out to the team.

Incidents and allegations like these not only mar the athletes' morale, but also point towards the reliability and standards of such top tournaments like the Asian Games. That said, it is highly unfair to the athletes and the fans, who feel so much about the game, and ultimately end up questioning its legitimacy. 

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