Biggest sports controversies of 2019

Biggest sports controversies of 2019

Cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul stirred up big controversy with some of their comments on Karan Johar's popular chat show 'Koffee with Karan.' While Rahul did not say much, it was Hardik who said few statements which were deemed sexist and misogynist. The duo were sent home from the tour of Australia and were provisionally suspended by BCCI. Both Hardik and Rahul tended a written apology to BCCI and to the public.

Biggest sports controversies of 2019

The World Anti-Doping agency issued a 4 year ban to Russia from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and all other global sporting events including 2022 FiFa World Cup over doping violation. Russia was found to have manipulated with laboratory data handed over to WADA. It was also decided that Russia's flag and national anthem will not be a part of the Olympics next year. Meanwhile, Russian athletes who can prove they are clean can compete at Olympics and other tournaments under a neutral banner. The strict action from WADA was without a doubt one of the biggest controversies of 2019 in the sports world.

Biggest sports controversies of 2019

The Indian Premier League game between Kings X1 Punjab and Rajasthan Royals was clouded in controversey after Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler by 'Mankading' him. The incident shocked the cricket world with opinion of Ashwin's act receiving mixed reviews. The incident was one of the turning points in the game as Rajasthan Royals who were going great guns till Buttler's dismissal went on to lose the game from a winning position. Opposition coach Paddy Upton criticized Ashwin for his not so impressive sportsmanship.

Biggest sports controversies of 2019

A major controversy broke out over Mary Kom's selection for the Women's Boxing Championship with Nikhat Zareen who shares her weight category, claiming that she has been denied a fair trail as per norms. In a letter to Boxing Federation of India citing injustice in the selection process. This was after the Boxing Federation of India stated that it intends to pick six-time champion Mary Kom for the 51kg event in China on the back of her bronze medal-winning performance at the World Championships in Russia. Then it was finally decided that the representation would be decided after a boxing match between the two. The duo then faced each other with Mary Kom prevailing 9-1 over Nikhat and thereby securing a berth in February's Olympic qualifiers.

Biggest sports controversies of 2019

At the commonwealth Games Federation meeting in June it was decided to drop shooting from the 2022 Games. However, the Indian Olympic Association wasn't ready to accept the decision considering India record in shooting on the global stage. Narinder Batra threatened that India would not participate in the competition if the decision to exclude shooting was not reversed. Since then, the IOA and Sports Ministry has had meetings with CGF President Louise Martin who visited Delhi for a round of talks to discuss the issue. Later CGF CEO, David Grevemberg said, "We have come here to listen and show respect to IOA. Do we have a solution? No. we won't make false promises.