Mangaluru: The VVIP conceit of MLC Ivan D’souza came to the fore on Saturday, May 3 in the ongoing Federation Cup, with the public servant initially refusing to accompany renowned Indian athlete P T Usha to the podium for a medal awarding ceremony which is generally preceded with the offering of bouquets to the winners.

Ivan was asked to present bouquets to winners of 800m women’s race, while Usha was given the task of presenting the medals including to the gold medal winner of the event, Tintu Luka.    “My stature being an MLC does not suit to the task given to me by the District Athletic Association and who is P T Usha?” he hit out at Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association President (DKAAP) Manjunath Bhandary. A top office bearer of DKAAP under the condition anonymity disclosed to Newskarnataka.com.

Though MLC in the later stage agreed to present the bouquet after repeated persuasions, he justified his contention claiming P T Usha was not an elected representative and he should have been given the honor of presenting the medals.

The source detailing the incident said Manjunath Bhandary, had in the beginning requested Abhayachandra Jain’s, (Minister – sports and youth, Govt. of Karnataka) spouse to give bouquets to the three winners accompanying P T Usha. However, Jain’s wife declined the offer as she generally shunned public appearances. This lead Manjunath Bhandary to opt for another person for the ceremony.

When Newskarnataka contacted Manjunath Bhandary he said that he had to find another appropriate person and he thought Ivan would fit the bill in this important role to accompany one of the greatest athletes of India P T Usha. “P T Usha is the greatest athlete and generally everyone would like to accompany her,” he opined.

When asked about VVIP attitude of Ivan, he said Ivan initially refused to take up the task citing the reason that his stature was above P T Usha, but later he agreed. The source, who was privy to the conversation between Ivan and Manjunath, however further added Ivan claimed he is above Usha asking “who is P T Usha”? “Usha is not an elected representative and he was chosen by the people. My stature is above her.” he contended with Manjunath Bhandary.

Ivan speaking to Newskarnataka.com denied the incident and said he was proud to accompany P T Usha. “There could be difference between me and some officials but this incident is a concocted story by the association,” he added.

AFI technical staff shunned Ivan

In another incident, Ivan was reprimanded by the technical staff of the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) for entering the ground without wearing the prescribed jacket. Ivan demanded that he should be allowed to witness the long jump. It is reliably learnt that he entered the ground violating AFI norm.

The officials of the AFI requested that Ivan leave the ground, for violating the AFI norms, but to no avail. The officials later told the MLC that long jump event would be stopped, if he did not leave the venue, upon which the MLC left the venue.

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