Indian gymnasts appearing for the trial for the 48th Artistic World Championship have been left stumped by the SAI's directive that they will have to perform the all-around routine instead of their individual events for selection.
The uncertainty over Indian gymnasts participation at the Doha event ended last week with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) deciding to hold trials for the event on September 29 and 30.
However, the gymnasts were surprised to know that the selection will be done on the basis of all-around results, which include four events for women and six for men.
"We only came to know after coming here that the selection will be on all-around basis. Generally, we get a letter a month in advance but this time we got it a week before the trials and then it didn't mention on what basis they will make the selection," a gymnast said.
In another major development, there is also uncertainty whether Dipa Karmakar, whose knee injury had flared up at the Asian Games, will participate in the trials.
While Ashish Kumar and Aruna Budda Reddy have already decided to skip the world championship, there is speculation that Dipa too might give it a miss.
A lot of gymnasts prepared for the trials, focussing on apparatus event and selection on all-around basis has put them in a spot.
Many of them are also staying on their own in the capital as SAI made it clear it will not provide lodging and boarding facilities.
Also there is uncertainty whether the international judges will be available for the selection trial as they were informed at the last moment.