India lodges protest against Bahrain

JAKARTA: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Tuesday lodged a protest against Bahrain for causing obstruction to Hima Das during the 4×400 mixed relay in which India finished second after M R Poovamma frittered away a good 30m lead. The protest has been admitted by the jury of appeals which will give a ruling at 10am (local time) on Wednesday.
The Indian quartet of Mohd. Anas, Poovamma, Hima and Arokia Rajiv clocked 3 minute and 15.71 seconds to finish behind Bahrain (3:11.89) in the event which was making a debut in the Asian Games. Muhammed Anas opened up a huge 30m lead over his Bahraini rival and handed over the baton to Povamma. However, the Karnataka athlete squandered the lead. By the time she passed on to the baton to Hima, Bahrain had created a huge lead. As Hima got the baton, she had to change her lane and sidestep Bahrain’s Oluwakemi Adekoya who fell before her, obstructing her way, after passing on the baton to Salwa Naser. (PTI)