Cyclists omitted from the Para Asian Games plan to protest against the Sports Ministry’s selection criteria. Only Arshad Shaik got approval for the event starting October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya. Prashant Arkal said, "We have been in Leh preparing for the Asian Para Games all this while, we didn't even know."
Cyclists who have been omitted from the upcoming Para Asian Games has decided to stage a protest against the actions of the sports ministry. SAI has cleared only one para cyclist for the upcoming games in Japan, sticking to its long-standing selection criteria. The disgruntled cyclists plan to hold the protest at the
The cyclists left out of India's Para Asian Games squad have raised discrimination allegations, but SAI has maintained that selections were based strictly on performance. Arshad Shaik, a Paralympian, is the lone cyclist to have secured the Ministry's approval for the Games, which begin in Aichi-Nagoya on October 18. This is the second time athletes have complained about the selection process for the Para Asiad.
Earlier on Wednesday, Para-shooters sought an urgent independent inquiry into alleged financial corruption, extortion and manipulation in the selection process for the Para Asian Games.
The cyclists who are protesting the selections are expected to meet Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO N S Johal at the SAI office, where they plan to present their grievances and seek clarity over the selection process.
"We have been in Leh preparing for the Asian Para Games all this while, we didn't even know that our names have been omitted," road cyclist Prashant Arkal, who is among the omitted ones, told PTI.
"The Government's approval lists only one athlete for Para Cycling even though we have spent from our own pocket to meet the qualification criteria," Arkal said.
Apart from Arkal, Pavan Kumar Kommoji, Sameer, Vasani Babubhai, Shashruti Vinayak Nakade and Lisha Das are the other cyclists who have been omitted.
While the ministry is yet to officially announce the final Indian contingent for the Asian Para Games, PTI says that a 128-member squad spanning eight sports has received approval.
SAI NOT READY TO BUDGE
According to SAI, Arshad is the only athlete who fulfils the prescribed selection standards. He finished fourth in a field of nine competitors at this year's Asian Para Road Championships, before placing fifth among eight participants in the 1km time trial at the Asian Para Track Championships.
"Finishing fourth in a four-player field cannot be considered for selection. They are being misled by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI)," a SAI source told PTI.
As per the world rankings published up to February this year, India stood sixth among Asian nations in men's para cycling and fourth in the women's category.
Under the Asian Para Games qualification rules, nations placed between fourth and sixth in the rankings are allocated four slots in the men's category and three in the women's category through the Combined Nations Ranking.
"But the point here is that even if you clinch a quota by finishing eighth in a nine-man field, it does not mean you merit selection. Then it defeats the purpose of having a selection criteria," the source added.
The list recommended by the CFI also featured young cyclist Lisha Das, who had earlier competed at the Commonwealth Games amid controversy. She had alleged that she was not provided with a female support staff at the event and was forced to compete while dealing with considerable mental and emotional pressure.
India's record in cycling at the Para Asian Games stands at just one medal so far, a bronze.