NEW DELHI: The global governing body for para sports has dismissed the
sports ministry
's proposal to establish an ad-hoc panel to oversee the operations of the
Paralympic Committee of India
(PCI) following the government's suspension of the national body for failing to conduct timely elections.
Upon suspending the PCI on February 2, the ministry had instructed the
Sports Authority of India
(SAI) to collaborate with the
International Paralympic Committee
(IPC) in forming an ad-hoc committee.
This committee was meant to take on the responsibilities of the PCI and facilitate transparent elections. However, the IPC has explicitly communicated to the sports ministry that "the current governance situation of the PCI does not require an intervention by the IPC."
The IPC further stated that the PCI is presently not in violation of any member obligations. The existing PCI leadership, led by Deepa Malik, had asserted that the election postponement was due to the
Para Shooting World Cup
scheduled to take place in India from March 6 to 15.
"We are not in a position to form an ad hoc committee with the Sports Authority of India as you suggest," the IPC said in a response to a letter sent to it by the sports ministry.
"We expect our members (read PCI) to manage their affairs autonomously and without interference from bodies outside the Paralympic Movement as required by the provisions of the IPC Constitution," said the letter dated February 12 and written by IPC Chief Membership and Impact Officer Kristina Molloy.
The IPC said the current governance issue raised by the sports ministry regarding the PCI has nothing to do with the world body and hence "does not need its intervention".
"As the current governance questions you raise regarding the PCI stem from the national laws and regulations of India, we believe this matter be best resolved within the scope of the country's own decision-making process and institutional structures," IPC said in the letter, asserting its independence and autonomy to govern the Paralympic Movement.
The world body has urged all concerned parties to find a mutually agreeable solution, allowing India to concentrate on preparing its athletes for the upcoming Paris Paralympics later this year.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) faced a suspension as its four-year term concluded on January 31, with the sports ministry emphasising that elections should have taken place before this deadline. However, the PCI has slated the elections for March 28.
PCI Secretary General Gursharan Singh indicated that the organisation has received support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to host the Para Shooting World Cup, a crucial event offering 24 quota places for the Paris Paralympics.
This event is expected to attract over 500 pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooters from 52 countries, vying for Paralympic quota places in the final tournament of the qualification cycle. Numerous elite Indian para shooters are set to participate.
Gursharan emphasised that the PCI had communicated to the ministry that the election delay was primarily due to the impending Para Shooting World Cup.
(With PTI inputs)
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