Corp Bank not for hasty action against ambassador Ashwini

With Ms Akkunji failing the dope test now, the bank seems to be treading a cautious path if its promotional plans are any indication.

Mr Ramnath Pradeep, Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank, told Business Line that the athlete is a regular employee of the bank and it will not initiate any action in haste.

On the fate of current promotional activities involving her, he said the bank is contemplating removing her from the advertisements and other promotional activities for the “time being.”

“We have taken her as a regular employee. We have not taken her as a brand ambassador. She being a regular employee any disciplinary proceeding has to be done according to the bank norms. We are waiting for the final report to come. Unless a clear picture emerges we can't take any hasty action,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that Corporation Bank had appointed Ms Akkunji as a manager soon after her winning streak in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. After that, the bank had launched her as its brand ambassador to mark the International Women's Day on March 8.

Subsequently the bank featured her in most of its brand promotion activities.

Ms Akkunji, who hails from Siddapura of Kundapura taluk in Udupi district, is a sprint athlete and a specialist in the 400 metres race.

She won gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2010 Asian Games in 4x400 metres relay team event and individual gold medal in the 400-metre hurdles at the 2010 Asian Games held at Guangzhou in China.