India's riders ordered out of Asian Games
Monday, 15 November 2010
GUANGZHOU, Nov 14 (AFP): India's sports ministry has denied permission to the equestrian squad to take part in the Asian Games after China refused to allow their horses in due to strict quarantine laws.
India had proposed to send eight horses to the Games, but the government backed out after Chinese authorities cleared just three for the trip to Guangzhou.
The sports ministry told the Equestrian Federation of India that permission to take part in the Games had been withdrawn even as the horses were about to be shipped in from Bangalore.
"It is learnt that the horses are yet to leave Bangalore where they have been quarantined because full clearance from Chinese authorities is still awaited," the ministry wrote.
India had proposed to send eight horses to the Games, but the government backed out after Chinese authorities cleared just three for the trip to Guangzhou.
The sports ministry told the Equestrian Federation of India that permission to take part in the Games had been withdrawn even as the horses were about to be shipped in from Bangalore.
"It is learnt that the horses are yet to leave Bangalore where they have been quarantined because full clearance from Chinese authorities is still awaited," the ministry wrote.