SAI calls ace Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand to join training camp 

Odisha Sun Times Sports Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sept 9:

After weeks of despondency, there was finally a smile on the face of ace Odisha woman sprinter Dutee Chand today after she was invited by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to join the Centre of Excellence at Patiala.

“I am extremely happy to join the training camp. I am very hopeful that I will back on the tracks very soon,” said a beaming Dutee before leaving for Delhi this afternoon.

It may be mentioned that Dutee was dropped from the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year after medical tests conducted by the SAI revealed that she was not eligible to compete in the female category due to high androgen (male hormone) levels in her body.

Briefing media persons here, Sports and Youth Services secretary, Saswat Mishra said Dutee, during her training, would discuss with consultant and activist Dr Payoshni Mitra and later SAI officials in Delhi on ways to bring her androgen level down. 

“SAI, which has agreed to help Dutee, will take up the issue with International Athletic Federation as androgen has been created naturally in Dutee’s body,” Mishra said.