AIADMK Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar has laid the blame on the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct for being unable to provide support to Gomathi Marimuthu, the athlete from Tamil Nadu who won the 800m gold at the Asian Athletics Championship last week. The Election Commission’s guidelines for political parties and candidates prohibits parties in power from announcing financial grants in any form. However, the MCC came into force only on March 10 this year, months after the athlete began preparing for the championship.
Addressing media persons at the Chennai Airport on Monday, Minister Jayakumar was asked about allegations that the state government had failed to encourage Gomathi. “That is a false allegation. It is worrying that knowingly or unknowingly that opinion is being expressed. Now the code of conduct is in place. At that time, without the clearance of the EC, (support) cannot be given. Therefore we've written to the Election Commission. If we get clearance, the Chief Minister is ready to provide all help in a happy way. Action will be taken after the Election Commission clearance is received.” he said. He also added that Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami had introduced three percent reservation in government jobs under the sports quota.
In an emotional press conference days after her win in Doha, Qatar, Gomathi said, “If the Tamil Nadu government supports me, I can try further, to win a medal at the Olympics. There is one more year for the competition.” Stating that the government was set to help her, she requested, "No one else should struggle the way I have. It would be helpful if the Tamil Nadu government helped them." Gomathi said she knew of many such athletes who had given up on their sporting careers without support.
Gomathi has qualified for the World Championships and hopes to perform well at the IAAF Diamond League as well.