Exclusion of Arunachal weightlifter from Commonwealth trials slammed

Arunachal Olympic Association criticizes exclusion of weightlifter Sambo Lapung from Commonwealth Championships trials, raising concerns over transparency and bias.

GUWAHATI

The Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) and other organisations in the State have slammed the exclusion of weightlifter Sambo Lapung, a consistent gold medal winner, from the trials for the Commonwealth Championships 2025.

Lapung appealed to the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) a few days ago, requesting a chance to participate in the trials scheduled for June 13-14, but his plea was rejected.

In a letter to Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha on June 5, AOA secretary general Bamang Tago sought justice for Lapung, who was allegedly ignored to accommodate Harshit Sehrawat of Haryana.

A copy of the letter was sent to Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Director General of the Sports Authority of India.

Lapung hails from the East Kameng district, which falls under the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency represented by Mr Rijiju.

“Lapung, a three-time national gold medallist and record holder, has consistently dominated the 96 kg category, securing gold at the Senior National Weightlifting Championships held in Chandigarh (2022), Itanagar (2023), and Himachal Pradesh (2024). His outstanding performances include lifting 338 kg in the 2023 Nationals, outperforming his closest competitors, including Harshit Sehrawat, who secured silver with a total of 328 kg,” Mr Tago wrote.