‘Don’t take credit for my achievements’: Paracyclist questions sports authorities over support staff insecurity as Commonwealth Games begin

India’s only para-cyclist at the Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, has written to the country’s top sports authorities, saying uncertainty about her support staff and travel arrangements to Glasgow had caused her “immense emotional distress” just before the Games began.Lisha emailed officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Sports Ministry.The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will take place on Thursday evening.In her letter, Lisha said she is still awaiting clearance from her support team, which includes personal trainer Aditya Mehta, physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh and an experienced para-cycling technician.While Shaikh’s trip was finally approved after repeated requests and court intervention, there is still no confirmation regarding Mehta’s trip or accreditation. Instead, the authorities suggested K Dattatraya as a technician/coach, even though Lisha had earlier rejected his inclusion in her support team.Lisha said she specifically requested that Mehta travel with her as a coach. Although this request was initially accepted, she received no update on his travel arrangements.“I am writing this email with a deeply heavy heart and immense emotional distress. As an athlete, my only responsibility should be to focus on my training and prepare to represent my country to the best of my ability. However, since May 15, I have been continuously trying to reach out to the officials concerned to seek clarification and support regarding my participation and travel arrangements for the Commonwealth Games,” Lisha wrote, as quoted by PTI.“I did not seek financial support for the years of training, equipment, preparation and qualifications that allowed me to reach this level. My coach (Mehta) and his organization independently supported me extensively, including my training, equipment and preparation. Despite repeated communications and reminders, instead of getting clarity, I faced continued uncertainty and enormous psychological pressure,” she added.Mehta has now decided to arrange the entire support team himself.“Lisha is India’s youngest and first para-cyclist to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and is also the first Indian para-cyclist to achieve this qualification. Yet instead of focusing on representing the country, this young athlete is now forced to fight administrative battles alone,” Mehta told PTI.“But she won’t give up. Lisha will go forward with determination,” he added.Lisha said the uncertainty had affected her preparations and left her “extremely demotivated”.“Yesterday I was contacted again by officials via video call on my coach’s phone. I made it clear that I am a minor and that my coach and Dr. Shaikh are guardians and support persons who have been directly involved in my training, care and preparation.”“I have asked that any matter concerning me be discussed directly with them.“I tried to focus on my training and competition. However, the repeated uncertainty, phone calls, messages and administrative hurdles caused immense stress at a time when I should be preparing to compete and win medals for my country,” she wrote.Lisha also pointed out that Mehta’s role as her trainer had already been recorded during the proceedings before the Delhi High Court.“Despite the court proceedings and the orders passed by the Hon’ble High Court, I have continued to face immense uncertainty, repeated communication and what I believe to be considerable mental harassment regarding the same issue from my coach and support team.“I don’t understand why, despite the matter being dealt with in the Hon’ble High Court and my coach’s position on the court record, I am still being subjected to this level of uncertainty and pressure immediately before an important international competition,” she said.She clarified that she had no objection to Dattatraya traveling as a technician, but insisted that his role could not replace that of her coach.“If K. Dattatraya is sent as a technician, I have no objection to his role as a technician. However, I need my trainer Aditya Mehta to accompany me as my trainer, along with any required technician or other support staff.”“Technician and coach have different roles and responsibilities and cannot simply be considered interchangeable,” she wrote.Lisha further said that if Mehta could not accompany her, she would make her own travel arrangements.It warned that it “does not travel under the banner or financial support of the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI”.“I will arrange my own trip and travel at my own expense,” she said.Lisha also claimed that she “did not receive meaningful support from the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI for the competitions, equipment and preparation that allowed me to reach this level”.“I respectfully request that the organizations concerned not claim credit for my achievements. I also request that my photographs and personal images not be used for advertising or promotional purposes without my consent.”