Odia gymnast Rakesh Patra in Indian squad for Commonwealth Games 2018

Bhubaneswar: Odia gymnast Rakesh Patra was finally selected in the Indian squad for the Commonwealth Games to be held at Gold Coast in Australia from April 4 -15, 2018.

Patra who will represent India in the Rings and Parallel Bar event had secured fourth position in the recently concluded Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne. Prior to his selection for the Commonwealth Games there were some speculations that Patra will be dropped from the gymnastic squad, informed sources.

However, Odisha Gymnastic Association had protested the decision of the selection committee. Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had also in a letter to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) asked to pick Patra for the Indian squad.

The Commonwealth Games commonly known as the Gold Coast 2018 will welcome more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories. The games will feature 18 sports and seven para-sports events.