Asian Games: Karate team leaves without coaches; equestrian riders caught in accred maze

NEW DELHI: India’s karate team is heading to the Asiad without a dedicated coach while five equestrian riders in Tokyo are scrambling to get accreditation for their personal coaches. Some are even considering a two-hour train journey to Nagoya to sort out the issue in person, TOI has learnt.For the karate contingent, reigning Asian champion Alisha Choudhary’s repeated pleas to sports authorities and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials for accreditation for her coach, Vikas Panchal, have gone unheard. The two-member team also includes Chetan Bhatt (men’s kumite 84kg), with Adikessava Peroumal Sinouvassane the designated ‘team leader’.When the sports ministry’s sanction clearing coaches was issued on September 2, no coach was named for karate. Alisha has since sent multiple emails and reminders, underlining that Panchal has trained her for 11 years and guided her to every major international achievement, including her historic gold at the 2026 Asian Karate Championship.