The imbroglio between the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) and organisers of the Vadodara Marathon finally came to an end on Saturday after the latter paid Rs 5 lakh towards capitation fee for giving a ‘national’ status to the event.

“We had not received any money, including the Rs 90,000 which the organisers claimed to have paid till Friday. It was only on Saturday that the organisers paid Rs 5 lakh towards capitation fee and we have given them the permission,” AIF Director M L Dogra told The Sunday Express from Delhi.

He added: “As far as the capitation amount for the next marathon is concerned, we will see the quantum of money generated that time and then take a decision.”

Incidentally, Vadodara Marathon Director Amit Bhatnagar had claimed having paid Rs 90,000 towards capitation fee, till Friday.

He had said he also had a receipt for the same.

The Vadodara District Athletics Association functionaries admitted that it was after explaining the organisers about the repercussions of this episode, that they agreed to pay the amount.

Meanwhile, several schools were surprised to receive bundles of T-shirts despite having never registered their students for the event.

“Some people came to our school and handed over T-shirts and forms. We were surprised because we never registered our students for the marathon,” said a senior functionary of a school in the southern part of the city.

“But by the time we realised the situation, those people had left. We have decided to handover the T-shirts once the marathon is over,” he added.

... contd.