The sad truth: Poor facilities at Para-Athletic Championships is the norm

The 15th National Para-Athletic Championships was in the news for all the wrong reasons this weekend. Reports surfaced during the three-day event about substandard facilities provided to the differently-abled athletes. They were put up at unfurnished and unhygienic accommodations, with no fans, dirty toilets, no water and no ramps for wheelchair-bound athletes.

The event was organised for 250 athletes. However, because of lack of proper communication between the different sports federations and the national body, more than 1200 athletes showed up. The majority of athletes were trying to win medals at the national event as many state governments offer cash awards, which are used by players for their training and equipment. Rajasthan offers Rs 2.5 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 50,000 for gold, silver and bronze medal winners. Haryana offers Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh to winners of gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The event is also crucial for most differently-abled athletes as a win in Ghaziabad would ensure their participations in the upcoming Para-games to be held in May in Delhi. This would also increase their chances of getting a much coveted spot in the Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

While the rest of India is fuming and aghast over this state of affairs, Deepa Malik, the first Indian woman to win a medal the Para Asian games in Guangzhou, China in 2010 told Firstpost that this situation is not new.

“Why is there such a hoo-haa over a two day-event? This is how it is for us differently-abled athletes all the time. Now that the country knows of our plight, what are they going to do to ensure this doesn’t happen next year? India’s outrage is limited to a three-day news cycle and then it’s forgotten about completely.”

Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday immediately ordered a detailed report from Paralympic Committee of India.

Well-being of all athletes is a priority for us. Differently-abled athletes and their well-being is a priority for us. (1/n) @PIB_India

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015

We are examining the matter and looking into the reasons for mismanagement of the event. (2/n) @PIB_India

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015

Detailed report has been asked on the organisation of the National Para-Athletic Games from Paralympic Committee of India (3/n) @PIB_India

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015

There will be no discrimination for differently abled athletes. All the athletes including differently abled are equal and important for us.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015

Secretary Sports, Gov of India has been asked to submit a report in the next 24 hours. Strict punishment to those who are guilty. @PIB_India

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015