Expressed solidarity with athletes who protested against minister's match-fixing remark; action against Thiruvananthapuram District Sports Council President

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has taken action against Thiruvananthapuram District Sports Council President S.S. Sudheer for expressing solidarity with those protesting against Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman’s remarks. The Sports Department has ordered Sudheer’s removal from his position for supporting the demonstration held in front of the State Sports Council. The protest was staged by athletes after the minister alleged that Kerala’s handball team secured a silver medal at the National Games through match-fixing.

State Sports Council President U. Sharafali had previously accused Sudheer, who also serves as the state secretary of the Handball Association, of inciting the athletes to protest. The decision to remove Sudheer was made based on Sharafali’s report.

Minister’s mistake, District President faces consequences

The controversy erupted after Minister Abdurahiman, in a media interview, falsely claimed that Kerala’s handball team was involved in match-fixing at the Uttarakhand National Games. However, the actual issue was related to netball, where Kerala was allegedly defeated due to poor refereeing.

Sudheer clarified that the minister’s statement was a slip of the tongue, but Abdurahiman refused to correct it, maintaining his stance. This led to an intense protest by medal-winning athletes in front of the State Sports Council. They demanded that the minister rectify his statement, even threatening to throw their medals into the sea if he did not.

Following the uproar, Sports Council officials intervened, urging the athletes not to abandon their medals. They later stated that the minister had admitted his mistake privately and advised against discarding the medals.