Minor in CWG squad: Cyclist Lisha Das raises safety concerns over lack of female support staff | Commonwealth Games News
NEW DELHI: India’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) contingent is under scrutiny after the youngest member of the 191-strong squad, 16-year-old para track cyclist Lisha Das expressed “deep disappointment” over the absence of a female coach or support staff in the track and para track cycling contingent, raising concerns over safety and security on the journey.In the emails to the sports authorities, Lisha wrote: “I am writing this email with great disappointment… I am a minor female athlete. I need a female escort and professional medical support. We have submitted a parental consent form naming Asha Shaikh, my physiotherapist, as my accompanying support personnel… Proper coaching, medical support, athlete and athlete safety.”” “Despite many representations from my parents, my coach, and me, this issue remains unresolved, while the responsibility continues to shift between organizations. It is very sad that the athlete continues to suffer while the authorities take part in a blame game. One of the most frustrating aspects of this whole period is the continuous shift of responsibility. Every time issues arise: The CFI says that it is the responsibility of the PCI. nor mine parents should be held accountable for this administrative failure,” he added. The CWG contingent, cleared by the sports ministry on July 9, consists of 126 athletes, 51 officials and 14 contingent staff. While every other discipline has at least one female coach, physiotherapist or medical staff member, cycling and para cycling are the only disciplines without female support staff.The removal appears to be inconsistent with the Sports Authority of India’s June 15, 2022 circular that mandates a female coach in contingents with female athletes during domestic and international camps and competitions, apart from appointing male and female compliance officers to protect female athletes.Four years ago, when the country’s sports administration was rocked by two complaints of harassment of female athletes in cycling and sailing disciplines against their respective coaches, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) issued an office circular on June 15, 2022, with the aim of keeping the sport safe and free of harassment and discrimination against women. “Women coaches will be mandatory to be part of the contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competition exposures; and compliance officer (male and female) to be appointed in all national coaching camps and foreign exposures,” read the order of the SAI office.It will be recalled that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) recently allowed the 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on the India tour of Ireland and England, with the costs to be borne by the board to ensure compliance with child protection rules and ease his transition to a senior environment.The four-member support staff accompanying the cycling contingent consists of 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 later development, Lisha’s longtime coach Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta “replaced” Dattatreya in the official contingent. Dattatreya is currently a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) office bearer and can only travel ‘without government expense’ as per the ministry’s recent directive to NSF officials traveling with the CWG-bound contingent. However, Lisha’s main demands remain unfulfilled: the appointment of a female coach or support staff, the inclusion of physiotherapist Asha, and a technician to assemble and maintain her special racing bike.
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