Nitesh, who made historical past by clinching the gold medal within the SL3 class on the Paris Paralympics, emphasised the significance of treating para badminton gamers equally to their able-bodied friends. He believes that the transfer to PCI can be useful for the game and its athletes.
“We have now received 21 medals on the Asian Para Video games, round 14-15 medals on the World Championships, and 5 medals on the Paralympics, however we do not obtain primary appreciation from BAI,” Nitesh informed PTI.
“This is not a brand new challenge; it is a recurring downside. Their consideration stays solely on able-bodied athletes, with minimal effort to advertise para badminton.”
Nitesh voiced his discontent via social media following BAI’s tweet congratulating the para badminton gamers on their achievements in Paris.
“Regardless of the occasional social media appreciation from @BAI_Media, we, the athletes, are extremely dissatisfied with BAI’s lack of curiosity in para badminton.
“We sincerely request @Media_SAI and BAI at hand over para badminton to PCI, which has a greater observe document of supporting para sports activities,” he wrote.
Nitesh, a graduate of IIT Mandi, highlighted quite a few administrative issues confronted by para-badminton gamers.
“There are vital administrative delays and inefficiencies. Usually, only one or 2 individuals handle the whole lot, and it is type of an excessive amount of for them, they often miss issues.
“Few gamers, their entries had been missed for the worldwide tournaments at instances, saying that their entry went to spam folder. We get issues very late. There have been quite a lot of instances we’re stored ready on the airport. We do not have transport from the native organizer as a result of the funds weren’t finished on time,” he cited numerous logistical points that they face occasionally.
“The resort rooms weren’t booked on time. We get flights on the final second. These points had been notably nerve-racking throughout the qualification interval, however now that we have now some free time, we hope to deal with them.”
Nitesh, a survivor of a prepare accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009 that resulted within the lack of his left leg, confused the importance of addressing these issues to ensure improved help for athletes going ahead.
“We raised our issues with the sports activities minister just lately, and he assured us that he’ll look into the matter.”
Presently, athletics, taking pictures, and powerlifting are overseen by the PCI, whereas different para sports activities like badminton, archery, and desk tennis are managed by their respective nationwide able-bodied federations, equivalent to BAI, AAI, and TTFI.
“Firstly, we’d like a correct administration group. Presently, all duties typically fall on one particular person, which at instances will get overwhelming. With a devoted group, duties might be distributed successfully and managed extra effectively,” Kumar continued.
“Moreover, establishing a transparent communication channel is essential. We have to know precisely whom to method with issues.
“Moreover, the choice procedures are usually dealt with by a small group, with out enough enter from the gamers themselves. Involving skilled gamers within the course of might present invaluable views and enhance decision-making.”
