India’s only para-cyclist at the Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, has written to the country’s top sports authorities, saying the uncertainty over her support staff and travel arrangements for Glasgow has caused her “immense emotional distress” just before the start of the Games.Lisha has sent the email to 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 be held on Thursday night.In her letter, Lisha said she is still waiting for clarity on the approval of her support team, which includes personal coach Aditya Mehta, female physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh and an experienced para-cycling technician.While Shaikh’s travel was eventually cleared after repeated requests and court intervention, there is still no confirmation over Mehta’s travel or accreditation. Instead, authorities have proposed K Dattatraya as technician/coach, even though Lisha had earlier rejected his inclusion in her support team.Lisha said she had specifically requested that Mehta travel with her as coach. Although that request was initially accepted, she has not received any update on his travel arrangements.“I am writing this e-mail with a deeply heavy heart and immense emotional distress. As an athlete, my only responsibility should be to concentrate 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 the concerned officials and seeking clarity and support regarding my participation and travel arrangements for the Commonwealth Games,” Lisha wrote, as quoted by news agency PTI.“I have not been seeking financial support for the years of training, equipment, preparation and qualification that have enabled me to reach this level. My coach (Mehta) and his organisation have independently supported me extensively, including my training, equipment and preparation. Despite repeated communications and reminders, instead of receiving clarity, I have faced continued uncertainty and immense mental 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 she is also the first Indian female para cyclist to achieve this qualification. Yet, instead of being allowed to focus on representing the country, this young athlete is now being forced to fight administrative battles on her own,” Mehta told PTI.“But she will not give up. Lisha will move forward with determination,” he added.Lisha said the uncertainty has affected her preparations and left her “extremely demotivated”.“Yesterday, I was again contacted by officials through a video call on my coach’s phone. I clearly stated that I am a minor and that my coach and Dr Shaikh are the guardians and support persons who have been directly involved in my training, care and preparation.“I requested that any matter concerning me should be discussed directly with them.“I have been trying to focus on my training and competition. However, repeated uncertainty, calls, messages and administrative hurdles have 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 coach had already been recorded during 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 communications and what I feel has been considerable mental harassment regarding the very same issue of my coach and support team.“I fail to understand why, despite the matter being before the Hon’ble High Court and the position of my coach being recorded 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 travelling as a technician but insisted that his role could not replace that of her coach.“If K. Dattatraya is being sent as a technician, I have no objection to his role as a technician. However, I need my coach, Aditya Mehta, to accompany me as my coach, along with any required technician or other support personnel.“A technician and a coach have different roles and responsibilities, and they cannot simply be treated as interchangeable,” she wrote.Lisha further said that if Mehta is not allowed to accompany her, she will arrange her own travel.She cautioned that she would “not be travelling under the banner or financial support of the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI”.“I will make my own travel arrangements and travel at my own expense,” she said.Lisha also claimed that she had “not received meaningful support from the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI for the competitions, equipment and preparation through which I have reached this level”.“I respectfully request that the organisations concerned do not claim credit for my achievements. I also request that my photographs and personal images not be used for publicity or promotional purposes without my consent.”
