EFI suspends four riders, two others for impersonation scam during ITPF World Cup Tent pegging qualifier

Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has unanimously decided to suspend six individuals, including four riders, for two years after an inquiry committee found them guilty of an impersonation scam to represent the Nepal team at the Tent Pegging World Cup Qualifiers held in March last year. Seven other individuals were also issued warnings based on the committee's recommendation in a recent emergent EC meeting of the federation. According to a statement issued by the EFI, the inquiry committee was set up to investigate complaints about Indian citizens representing the Nepal team.

The committee headed by Col Rakesh Nair (Retd) submitted its report on February 5. Col SS Solanki (Retd), Col JS Maan, Col. Abhijit Kumar Goswami and Mr Kevic Setalvad were members of the committee.

The show cause notices and suspension were issued to Afsar Ahmad (Show Secretary of ITPF World Cup Qualifier), Col Tarsem Singh (Ex Member, Tent Pegging, EFI), Gulamul Murasaleen (Rider), Kapil Kumar (Rider), Vinay Kumar (Rider) and Yogendra Yadav (Rider). Besides, the EFI also issued warning notices to Dfr Dinesh GK (Indian team member), Asst PO Mohit Kumar (Indian team member), NK Sandeep Kumar (Indian team member), Rfn BR Jena (Indian team member), ASI Harikesh Singh (Indian team member), Akif Ahmad (Official ITPF WCQ) and Nihal Singh (President, Elite Sports Academy). The COVID-19 induced disturbance, unavailability and non-cooperation of witnesses delayed submission of the report which was originally due on October 21 last year.