India hockey team star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh did miss out playing for his team against Pakistan in the finals of Asian Champions Trophy 2016 on Sunday in Malaysia owing to injury, but he did play his part in inspiring the Indian team to make it to the finals after some heroic display during the penalty shootout against Korea in their semifinal match of the competition.
Little did Malaysian airliner AirAsia care about his achievements as they stuck by their rules and thus attracted the 30-year-old hockey star's wrath.
Sreejesh, who skippered India in the Rio 2016 Olympics, posted a tweet and vented his anger on the airline charging extra for sports equipment, which, as per the sportsman, was below 15 kg. According to AirAsia: "There is a Sports Equipment Fee applicable to Surfboards, Snowboards, Bicycles, Scuba, Golf and Skiing gears. Any other sporting equipment will be accepted as part of the baggage allowance and subject to any associated fees," information available on their website states.
"This fee is approximately $25 for up to 45 lb (20 kg). Each additional kg over 20 will be charged at a rate of approximately $15 per kg. All articles must be less than 109 linear inches/277 cm (length + width + height) and no longer than 80 in/203 cm."
While the war between who is right ensues here, Sreejesh, being a hockey goalkeeper, does have to bear the brunt of carrying more items apart from only the hockey sticks and shin guards carried by the outfield players, goalkeepers need to carry thick pads, gloves, helmet and several upper body protection gears.
As for now, AirAsia did post a reply to Sreejesh stating the matter would be looked upon.
Here is what transpired
Extra charges for the sports equipment bag which come below 15kg ??Are they expecting me to carry makeup kit?? ..funny concept @AirAsia pic.twitter.com/yrV8vVvCDk
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) November 1, 2016
@16Sreejesh we have notified our team to get in touch with you at the earliest. Thank you!
— AirAsia India (@airasiain) November 1, 2016
