Paralympics 2024: 'Lack of Good Governance' - Para Athlete Questions Indian Paralympic Body Ahead of Paris Showdown

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New Delhi, Aug 26: The para-sports movement is at a nascent stage in India but it is being severely damaged due to alleged manipulation in medical examination, a Delhi-based international visually impaired athlete said.

Lack of good governance subsequently gives an advantage to an individual at the time of classification to compete at the international level," the 2023 Asian Para Games medalist in the visually impaired category told MyKhel. "The above factors are hampering the development of para-sports in the country."

An international para-athlete, who didn't want to be named because of reprisal, while speaking with MyKhel claimed proper scrutiny is necessary at the domestic level to check the manipulation of medical documents.

"Empathy for para-athletes no doubt adds to development. However, huge financial benefits after winning medals at the international level are eroding the para movement in the country. There has to be checks and balances."

Jayawant Hammanawar, secretary general of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) doesn't believe in transparency, it seems. He was reluctant to share details of the selection criteria and performance of the 38 para-athletes selected for the Paris Paralympic 2024 Games starting August 28 in France.

"Since PCI officials are busy with Paris Olympic Games preparation, it will not be possible to share the details of the performance of the athletes during selection trials held in Bengaluru from July 15 to 17," he told over the phone.

In the past due to lack of good governance, PCI has been suspended by the world body more than once. On the field too, PCI faced international embarrassment. At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games held in China in 2023.

India's visually impaired athlete Balwant Singh Rawat was disqualified after winning bronze in 1500m (T-12, T-13 category) due to a lack of proper medical documents. His classification was under review and wasn't eligible to compete.

To add fuel to the fire, India's double Asian Para Games gold medalist Neeraj Yadav allegedly failed the competition dope test in a pre-departure test in Bengaluru.

However, he went on to compete in the F-55 category in China and won javelin and discus gold. Yadav's case is pending at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and if found guilty could lose his gold medals.

Yet in another incident, India's para-athlete Vinod Kumar (F-52) was banned for two years by the world para body as he was found eligible to compete in the F-52 (wheelchair) event of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. He had won bronze, but his performance was challenged by another competitor.

"The PCI should learn from its past and avoid international embarrassment," Delhi's international visually impaired athlete added.