Minor in CWG team: Para-cyclist Lisha Das raises safety concerns over absence of female support staff

Lisha Das (Image credit: NVS India) NEW DELHI: India’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) contingent has come under scrutiny after the youngest member of the 191-member team, 16-year-old para-track cyclist Lisha Das, expressed “deep disappointment” over the absence of a coach or support staff in the racing and para-track cycling contingent, raising minor concerns about the safety and security of the passengers.In emails sent to sports authorities, Lisha wrote: “I am writing this email with deep disappointment… I am a minor para athlete. I needed a female escort and professional medical support. We have submitted a parental consent form naming Asha Shaikh, my physical therapist, as my accompanying support staff… Proper coaching, medical support, athlete safety and athlete care should be the highest priority.” “Despite several statements from my parents, my coach and myself, this issue remains unresolved while responsibility continues to be shifted between organizations. It is extremely unfortunate that an athlete continues to suffer while the authorities engage in the blame game. One of the most disappointing aspects of this entire episode is the constant shifting of responsibility. Whenever issues arise: CFI states that PCI is responsible, nor CFIi says that my parents are not responsible. PCIi is not responsibility for this administrative failure should be borne by me,” she added. The CWG contingent, approved by the Sports Ministry on July 9, includes 126 athletes, 51 officials and 14 contingent staff. While every other discipline has at least one female coach, physiotherapist or health worker, cycling and para-cycling are the only disciplines without female support staff.The omission appears to be inconsistent with the Sports Authority of India circular dated 15 June 2022, which mandates women coaches in contingents with female athletes during domestic and international camps and competitions, besides appointing male and female compliance officers to protect female athletes.Four years ago, when the country’s sports administration was rocked by two harassment complaints by women athletes in cycling and gliding disciplines against their respective coaches, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) came out with an official circular on June 15, 2022 to keep the sport safe and free from harassment and discrimination against women athletes. “Women coaches must be compulsorily part of the contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competitive exhibitions; and a compliance commissioner must be appointed at all national coaching camps and foreign exhibitions,” the SAI order said.It may be recalled that the Board of Cricket in India (BCCI) recently allowed the parents of 15-year-old batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to accompany him on India’s tour of Ireland and England, at the expense of the committee, to ensure compliance with child protection norms and facilitate his transition into a senior environment.The four-member support team accompanying the cycling contingent consists of Men’s Coach Kevin Rene Michel Sireau, Men’s Physiotherapist Prahlad Priyadarshi, Men’s Technician Rahul Nagappan Assari and Men’s Para-Cycling Coach Dattatraya Katkam. However, in a late development, Lisha’s long-time coach Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta “replaced” Dattatreya in the official contingent. Dattatreya is currently an office-bearer of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and can only travel “without cost to the government” based on the ministry’s recent directive on NSF officials traveling with a CWG-bound contingent. However, Lisa’s key requirements remain unfulfilled: the appointment of a trainer or support staff, the inclusion of a physiotherapist, Asha, and a technician to fit and maintain her specialist racing bike.