Ritu seeks explanation for being dropped from Rio squad

Ritu Rani has countered the charge of poor form and lack of requisite attitude that led to her being dropped from the squad for the Olympics. Back home after her exclusion, Ritu said she had written to Hockey India and was awaiting a response.

Published : Jul 09, 2016 20:38 IST , New Delhi

Ritu Rani has questioned how she could have lost focus when she was among the fittest in the side.
Ritu Rani has questioned how she could have lost focus when she was among the fittest in the side.
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Ritu Rani has questioned how she could have lost focus when she was among the fittest in the side.

Experienced player Ritu Rani on Saturday countered the charge of poor form and lack of requisite attitude that led to her being dropped from the squad for the Olympics, claiming she had been totally focussed on working hard for Rio.

> Read: Indian women's captain Ritu Rani dropped from Rio 2016 squad

Back home after her exclusion, Ritu said she had written to Hockey India and was awaiting a response. “I was not given any reason. I was only told that I was not focussed enough on my game and training and so I would not be included in the team for Rio. I was also told I could leave the camp any time I wanted,” the 24-year old former captain said.

> Read: Ritu Rani determined to do well in Rio

Ritu had been at the helm of the team for a number of years now and also led the team at the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp last year where the team finished fifth to book an Olympic ticket. “For someone who has been playing for a long time now, blaming focus is not right. I was only focussed on my game and Rio at the camp also,” she added, questioning how she could have lost focus when she was among the fittest in the side.

However, team sources say she had not just been lacking intensity but was also missing training occasionally. She had also allegedly been spending too much time with her fiancé. Ritu got engaged on June 12 and had reportedly been asked to pull herself up during training.

“I have already spoken to the federation and also sent them a mail explaining my side. Let’s see what happens,” she said.

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