Sruti disAbility Rights Centre
2014-10-17 07:27:12 UTC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Para-athletes-ordered-not-to-speak-to-the-media/articleshow/44845067.cms
NEW DELHI: In a shocking case of insensitive and highhanded behaviour by
sports administrators, the Indian athletes going for Para Asian Games in
Incheon (for sportspersons with various disabilities) have been forced to
sign a contract which bars them from going to the media with their
complaints. This gag has been enforced to stop these disabled athletes from
"gaining sympathy by trying to project themselves as victims" through
"frivolous allegations".
As per the contract, anyone who goes to the media will face a lifetime ban
and those who do not sign will not be allowed to participate in the Games.
In the section Media Requirements of the contract, a copy of which is with
TOI, it is clearly stated that these athletes face a life ban for flouting
the norms. "We were told we would get out air tickets only when after we
signed these stifling contracts. Some of us protested but there was no
option in the end," said one of the athletes participating in the games.
The Paralympic Committee of India's (PCI) explanation for taking this
Draconian step is amazing. "These athletes are indisciplined, so this
contract was made to keep them under check," said Rajesh Tomar, the
president of PCI.
Tomar said that some athletes try to gain sympathy by showing themselves as
victims in front of the media. "It is very important for sportspersons to
be disciplined and this contract will be a psychological pressure. If they
have a problem, they will first have to approach PCI and give the committee
a month's time to probe.
"This committee is doing so much for these disabled athletes - we organised
a grand farewell dinner which was attended by ministers, they have granted
good allowances during the games and they will also get their sports kits
on time," said Tomar.
The farewell dinner for all the 90 athletes going to Incheon was held on
Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Some para sportswomen have written
to the ministry that they weren't provided with cab facility after the
dinner and they were out on the streets at 12:30 in the night. "The
ceremony got over very late. There were just two taxis waiting outside one
for all the men and women. I had to take an auto at 12:30am for Pahar ganj
from JN Stadium. Some of us have written to the ministry and the committee
but have got no reply," said an athlete.
Reacting to this, Tomar said only two or three women were left and they
have set up a committee to probe the matter. "Yes, this complaint has
reached us and we are probing the matter. But these women reached home
safely at the end of the day."
PCI was in news last month as there were reports that the officials were
taking their family members as para athletes' escorts.
"Now, the names suggested by the athletes as escorts have been cleared for
Incheon," said Tomar.
Meanwhile, the para table tennis players have claimed they have been given
no escorts. "No escorts are going with us. We have been approaching PCI
regarding this matter for days but to no avail," said Suvarna Raj, a para
table tennis player.
Para Asian games will begin on October 18 and end on October 24.
A delegation of 135 people is going from India.
NEW DELHI: In a shocking case of insensitive and highhanded behaviour by
sports administrators, the Indian athletes going for Para Asian Games in
Incheon (for sportspersons with various disabilities) have been forced to
sign a contract which bars them from going to the media with their
complaints. This gag has been enforced to stop these disabled athletes from
"gaining sympathy by trying to project themselves as victims" through
"frivolous allegations".
As per the contract, anyone who goes to the media will face a lifetime ban
and those who do not sign will not be allowed to participate in the Games.
In the section Media Requirements of the contract, a copy of which is with
TOI, it is clearly stated that these athletes face a life ban for flouting
the norms. "We were told we would get out air tickets only when after we
signed these stifling contracts. Some of us protested but there was no
option in the end," said one of the athletes participating in the games.
The Paralympic Committee of India's (PCI) explanation for taking this
Draconian step is amazing. "These athletes are indisciplined, so this
contract was made to keep them under check," said Rajesh Tomar, the
president of PCI.
Tomar said that some athletes try to gain sympathy by showing themselves as
victims in front of the media. "It is very important for sportspersons to
be disciplined and this contract will be a psychological pressure. If they
have a problem, they will first have to approach PCI and give the committee
a month's time to probe.
"This committee is doing so much for these disabled athletes - we organised
a grand farewell dinner which was attended by ministers, they have granted
good allowances during the games and they will also get their sports kits
on time," said Tomar.
The farewell dinner for all the 90 athletes going to Incheon was held on
Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Some para sportswomen have written
to the ministry that they weren't provided with cab facility after the
dinner and they were out on the streets at 12:30 in the night. "The
ceremony got over very late. There were just two taxis waiting outside one
for all the men and women. I had to take an auto at 12:30am for Pahar ganj
from JN Stadium. Some of us have written to the ministry and the committee
but have got no reply," said an athlete.
Reacting to this, Tomar said only two or three women were left and they
have set up a committee to probe the matter. "Yes, this complaint has
reached us and we are probing the matter. But these women reached home
safely at the end of the day."
PCI was in news last month as there were reports that the officials were
taking their family members as para athletes' escorts.
"Now, the names suggested by the athletes as escorts have been cleared for
Incheon," said Tomar.
Meanwhile, the para table tennis players have claimed they have been given
no escorts. "No escorts are going with us. We have been approaching PCI
regarding this matter for days but to no avail," said Suvarna Raj, a para
table tennis player.
Para Asian games will begin on October 18 and end on October 24.
A delegation of 135 people is going from India.