The IWF had roped in Salama for the youth development programme in the country, particularly these Commonwealth Games. Today, though, IWF secretary Balbir Singh Bhatia claimed it was actually for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

“Salama’s six-month presence didn’t make any big difference. He was mostly engaged in spotting talent and learning his ropes here, not in training.”

That also means that the expenditure on Salama in terms of salary and other expenses during his stay in the country was a waste. Salama’s monthly salary was $ 2500, and the Sports Authority of India had alone paid Rs 6 lakh in that regard. All that was the tax payers’ money.

Bhatia said the country’s budding lifters are strong enough to win medals in each of the five weight categories of the boys and girls group in Pune. “The Youth Games is not a big challenge for us. Even without the presence of a foreign coach, our lifters are capable of winning laurels there,” he said.

Criticising Salama, Bhatia said: “He didn’t fit into the IWF schemes or things, which was why he decided to go back to his country.” It indicates that a difference of opinion with the IWF forced Salama to put in his papers. He flew back to Egypt on February 27.