NEW DELHI: India’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) contingent has come under scrutiny after the youngest member of the 191-strong squad, 16-year-old para track cyclist Lisha Das expressed “profound disappointment” over the absence of a woman coach or support staff in the track and para track cycling contingent, raising safety and security concerns for a minor athlete travelling overseas.In emails to the sports authorities, Lisha wrote: “I am writing this email with profound disappointment… I am a minor female para athlete. I required a female escort and medical support professional. We submitted the parental consent form naming Asha Shaikh, my physiotherapist, as my accompanying support personnel… Proper coaching, medical support, athlete safety and athlete welfare should have been the highest priority.” “Despite several representations from my parents, my coach, and me, this issue remains unresolved, while responsibility continues to be shifted between organizations. It is extremely unfortunate that the athlete continues to suffer while authorities engage in a blame game. One of the most disappointing aspects of this entire episode is the continuous shifting of responsibility. Whenever issues arise: CFI states that it is PCI’s responsibility. PCI states that it is CFI’s responsibility. Neither I nor my parents should be held responsible for this administrative failure,” she added. The CWG contingent, cleared by the sports ministry on July 9, comprises 126 athletes, 51 officials and 14 contingent staff. While every other discipline has at least one woman coach, physiotherapist or medical staff member, cycling and para cycling are the only disciplines without female support personnel.The omission appears inconsistent with the Sports Authority of India’s June 15, 2022 circular mandating a woman coach in contingents with female athletes during domestic and international camps and competitions, besides appointing male and female compliance officers to safeguard women athletes.Four years ago, when the country’s sports administration was rocked by two harassment complaints by female athletes in cycling and sailing disciplines against their respective coaches, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had come up with an office circular on June 15, 2022, with a view to keep the sport safe and free of harassment and discrimination for women athletes. “Women coach to mandatorily be a part of the contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competition exposures; and compliance officer (male & female) to be appointed in all national coaching camps and foreign exposures,” read the SAI’s office order.It may be recalled that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) recently allowed 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on India’s tour of Ireland and England, with expenses borne by the board to ensure compliance with child safeguarding norms and ease his transition into a senior environment.The four-member support staff accompanying the cycling contingent comprises male coach Kevin Rene Michel Sireau, male physiotherapist Prahlad Priyadarshi, male technician Rahul Nagappan Assari and male para cycling coach Dattatraya Katkam. However, in a late development, Lisha’s long-time coach Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta has “substituted” Dattatreya in the official contingent. Dattatreya currently is a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) office-bearer and can only travel at ‘no cost to govt’ following a ministry’s recent directive on NSF officials travelling with the CWG-bound contingent. However, Lisha’s key demands remain unmet: appointment of a woman coach or support staff, inclusion of physiotherapist Asha, and a technician to assemble and maintain her specialised racing bicycle.
