Osmania University bars 2 players over counselling

Hyderabad: Two women basketball player of Loyola Academy Degree and PG College, one of whom has played in the South Zone senior nationals, were barred from the inter-college tournament of Osmania University.

The reason: They joined the MBA course at the Loyola Academy under management quota, ahead of the counselling.

The tournament was held on August 24 and 25 but counselling for the convener quota started only on August 26.

The two women players, Mounika and Sharanya were not allowed to play by OU sports authorities on the ground that they would not be considered bonafide students until the counselling for convener quota seats in MBA is completed.

Rev. Father Dr KS Casimir, Principal of Loyola Academy said, “Both of them have played basketball for three years for our college during their undergraduation and were given fee waiver for admission into MBA to encourage them.”

Asked about the exclusion of the players, Prof Laxmikanth Rathod, head of the physical education department, OU, said, “Until counselling gets over, no student, even those who take admission under the management quota, will be considered as bonafide students.”

There are other tournaments which are lined up but counselling for admissions in many courses is still pending, he said.

“The inter-university tournament will be held in November by when counselling is expected to be over and students can participate in that.”