DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 6 (MExN): Nagaland Adventure & Motor Sports Association (NAMSA) - the organizers of the Hornbill International Motor Rally, responding to the allegation of favouritism labeled on the motor sports body by one woman participant at the racing event has contended that the competition was held in all fairness. NAMSA in a press statement explained that the claim of eligibility of H. Lemei Phom - the driver of car number 166 – for a prize in the all-ladies category does not arise.
“It is for the information of all that the event gives prizes to the best three participants in the all ladies category. However car number 166 was not eligible for the All-ladies category as one of the passengers was a male gentleman, namely Mr. Bendangwapang Jamir. Therefore the question of them being eligible for the all-ladies team does not arise.” Car number 166 driven by H. Lemei Phom had Bendanglila as the navigator and two co-passengers, one of whom was a male, the statement said.
It went on to clarify that there was no case of any act of discrimination or favouritism on any competitor, while stating, “… the organisers are pained by such comments on an event that has brought international participation from five countries and is reputed to being the most prestigious in the entire region. It is also regretted that the matter has gone to press and media though there is no reason for any complaint on any grounds.” Further refuting the claim of Phom that she had finished first in the Autocross segment, NAMSA, however countered “she was red-flagged due to a false start and thus she did not have any recorded time.”
Conducted under the aegis of the apex national motor sports body – Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), and the Federation of Adventure and Motor Sports Associations of North East India (FAMSANE); the chief steward and the club steward, the technical officials of the event, were reputed officials from the FMSCI, who have marshaled at Formula 1 events. “Therefore it is regrettable that the integrity and fairness of the event has been questioned without having the full details of the manner in which it has been conducted,” the statement said.
The statement also gave a brief on the internationally accepted standard to register complaints by any competitor in a motor racing event. It read, “… as per international rules, a protest period is given to all participants after the declaration of results, however the participant did not submit any protest within the stipulated time and only submitted a complaint after the completion of the event and the prize distribution. Every participant is provided a book of supplementary regulations (SR) before registering to participate and each participant is required to go through it before registering. On the day before the event all participants are also required to attend the driver’s briefing where they are free to clarify on any queries on any matter regarding the event. This SR is considered as the Bible of rallying and the rules and regulations laid down by the SR are followed in letter and spirit.”
