Despite having acquired the distinction of qualifying for the forthcoming Olympics, the ace heptathelete from Bengal is up in arms over a significant sum of money that is due to her, with the sports administrators seemingly botching it all up.

Sushmita’s coach Kuntal Roy had made an appeal to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) requesting it to provide the passage fare for Sushmita’s upcoming events in various places around the country. She had earlier ensured her ‘B’ qualification for Bejing Olympics thorugh a superb 5866 points in the Open National meet in Bhopal last Februry.

Responding to the appeal, SAI’s regional director in Kolkata PVS Rao showed a keen interest and earned the nod of SAI’s Deputy-General (DG) over this matter, and ensured the go-ahead over the required amount of money for financing Sushmita’s upcoming challenges.

However, The Indian Express learnt that after a sum of Rs 17,000 landed at SAI Kolkata office specifically for this purpose, the money hasn’t yet reached Sushmita. As a result of the stalled proceedings, the ace heptathlete had to take a 2-day-long train trip out of her own pocket, travelling by sleeper-class last week, as she went to Madurai to participate in the crucial inter-state meet, which is regarded as a platform for selection trials.

Rao, who himself was upset over the stalled scenario, explained that he wasn’t in Kolkata for a few days during that phase and so, he couldn’t get the transfer of passage money arranged despite the SAI top brass’ approval.

Asked about the unsavoury episode, Sushmita chose not to make any comment.

The oversight brings back memories of another similar promise, this time from the Indian cricket Board. Through Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Prasun Mukherjee, the BCCI had announced that it would provide Sushmita with a grant of Rs 33 lakh. However, the money never came and there is still no word on the Rs 33 lakh grant.

Sushmita’s coach has been planning to send her to South Africa or the US for a month’s intensive training before the Olympics, but the mounting cash crunch has forced the duo to call off the preparatory plans.

Coach Roy is now eagerly waiting for Sushmita’s performance in the 4-day inter-state meet in Madurai that gets underway today, with an eye on preparations for the Olympics.