Yogita was given a host entry (first four players in the state championship automatically qualify for the Nationals) in the National Sub-Junior tournament for finishing fifth in the state championships. She withdrew on September 7 when her brother Nilesh suffered an accident in Mumbai. Since her mother had to leave for Mumbai, Yogita could not continue playing in Aurangabad as she had to stay there alone.

``Nilesh could have lost his life had he lapsed into unconsciousness after losing nearly a glassful of blood. But he recovered dramatically, allowing Yogita to participate in the inter-schools tournament on September 8,'' said Ravindra Yevle, Yogita's father.

On September 12, Yogita was issued a letter by the MCA, asking her to pay a fine of Rs 1,500 for withdrawingfrom the National tournament within 15 days.

When contacted, MCA secretary Ravindra Dongre said the state association does not have any intention of ``punishing'' Yogita and instead, intends to use the fine to compensate the player who was given the donor entry (a player of the host organisation can participate by paying a fixed amount, in this case Rs 1,500).

His contention is that Yogita should not have withdrawn from the National tournament, especially since her father had ``made a request for a host entry.''

He further adds: ``The contents of the letter Yogita's mother submitted in Aurangabad does include a request for withdrawal. Instead, they had asked the organisers to grant her byes in the remaining three rounds. Rules do not permit the All-India body or the state association to give any player a bye (and half a point) after she or he has played a tournament.''