NEW DELHI: In a heartfelt plea,
Deepa Malik
, the president of the suspended
Paralympic Committee of India
(PCI), has urged
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
,
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur
, and the
Sports Ministry
to reconsider the recent suspension of the PCI.
The Sports Ministry of India suspended the PCI, citing a failure to conduct timely elections and non-compliance with guidelines.
Expressing her dismay, Malik, a former paralympian herself, stated, "The recent suspension of the Paralympic Committee of India has come as very heartbreaking news, to me as the president of the PCI and also an athlete who has been an ex-paralympian because this is the Paralympics year."
She further emphasized the potential setback for para-athletes, particularly para shooters, as India gears up for the
2024 Paralympics
.
"It is going to really put a setback, and it is going to really demotivate the para-athletes, especially para shooters because we are really looking at hosting the World Cup of para shooting where 50-plus countries are coming and participating," Malik explained.
In her video appeal, Malik clarified the reasons behind the delay in conducting elections, noting the imminent Para Shooting World Cup scheduled to take place in the national capital from March 7 to 15. She highlighted that the change in committee during the preparations for the international event could have adverse effects.
"The only extraordinary circumstance is that we are the hosting country for the World Para Shooting Cup, which is happening as early as March within a month's time. So we have just postponed it so that in the national interest, we do not make any kind of change in the committee, which can harm the hosting of the World Para Shooting because all planning is going on, all entry has been done," Malik elaborated.
Malik concluded her appeal with a sincere request to reconsider the suspension, emphasizing the ongoing election process, "The election date is announced, the returning officer has been appointed, and the entire communication has been circulated to the ministry as well as the International Paralympic Committee."
The suspension by the Sports Ministry is poised to impact the hosting of the World Shooting Para World Cup, a significant international event where over 500 pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooters from 52 countries are expected to compete for Paralympic quota places.
Malik expressed concerns that the suspension might tarnish India's reputation and create challenges, urging authorities to revisit their decision in light of the upcoming sporting events.
(With inputs from ANI)
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