SUNIL NEGI
DEHRADUN: Last Monday during the Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan program at CNI Girls School in Dehradun, a student left Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the entire gathering stunned when she became emotional and alleged that she had been asked to pay ₹1.5 lakh to participate in an international Taekwondo competition, and that was why she could not go. The video of her statement went viral within hours and triggered sharp questions about the transparency of the Sports Department and selection procedures in the state.
Within days, the same student appeared in another video posted on social media, this time in NCC uniform, clarifying her earlier remarks. Identifying herself as Saira, she said, “On 10th date I participated in CM Sir’s programme. That day I couldn’t put my views thoroughly which I am presenting now. I went to Jammu to play the nationals where I was selected for the international in Romania and for which I was being paid by the federation rupees 1 lakh 70 thousand and rest of the money was to be paid by me to bear the expenses etc. I didn’t disclose this to any of my classmates and did not participate in the international competition.” said Saira in her new video.
The sudden change has added a new twist to the controversy. Uttarakhand left leader Atul Sati shared both videos on Facebook and wrote in Hindi: “Just saw this video… It’s very shameful… The same girl who complained to the Chief Minister about her inability to participate in an international game due to lack of funds is being forced to upload another video. Watching the video, it’s clear that she’s repeating what she’s learned under pressure. This is beyond limits. A few days ago, a video of an apology from a similar girl surfaced, which was made under similar pressure.”
Sati alleged that the retraction was clearly made under duress and said students from modest backgrounds are often compelled to change their statements after speaking out publicly.
The episode has once again put the spotlight on accountability in Uttarakhand sports. During the 38th National Games held in the state in February 2025, the IOA and GTCC had already flagged allegations of pre-decided results and money being demanded for medals in Taekwondo. With one viral video followed by a clarification video, both the Sports Department and the school administration are now being asked whether the student was counselled, guided, or pressured after her first statement.
Till now there has been no official response from the Sports Department or the Taekwondo Federation on Saira’s clarification or on the original allegation of a ₹1.5 lakh demand.
