The world governing body for para-sports has declined the sports ministry's proposal to establish an ad-hoc panel to oversee the operations of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) following the government's suspension of the national body for failing to conduct timely elections.
While suspending the PCI on February 2, the ministry instructed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to collaborate with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to create an ad-hoc committee ‘to assume the responsibilities carried out by PCI’ and ‘facilitate fair, transparent, and impartial elections.’
However, the IPC has explicitly informed the sports ministry that ‘the current governance situation of the PCI does not warrant intervention by the IPC.’
“The IPC also said that the PCI ‘is currently not in breach of any of its member obligations’.
The current administration of PCI, led by Deepa Mehta, asserted that the elections were delayed due to the Para Shooting World Cup scheduled to take place in India from March 6 to 15.
'Not in a position to form ad hoc committee'
"We are not in a position to form an ad hoc committee with the Sports Authority of India as you suggest," the IPC said in a response to a letter sent to it by the sports ministry.
"We expect our members (read PCI) to manage their affairs autonomously and without interference from bodies outside the Paralympic Movement as required by the provisions of the IPC Constitution," said the letter dated February 12 and written by IPC Chief Membership and Impact Officer Kristina Molloy.
“The IPC said the current governance issue raised by the sports ministry regarding the PCI has nothing to do with the world body and hence "does not need its intervention".
"As the current governance questions you raise regarding the PCI stem from the national laws and regulations of India, we believe this matter be best resolved within the scope of the country's own decision-making process and institutional structures," IPC said in the letter, affirming its independence and autonomy to govern the Paralympic Movement.
Seeking solutions for India's Paralympic preparations
The global body advised all stakeholders to seek an ‘acceptable and feasible solution’ to enable India to concentrate on preparing athletes for the upcoming Paris Paralympics later this year.
The term of the PCI, spanning four years, concluded on January 31, and according to the ministry, elections should have been conducted before the term expired. The PCI has scheduled the elections for March 28.
PCI Secretary General Gursharan Singh informed PTI that their organisation has received support from the IPC to host the Para Shooting World Cup, which provides 24 quota places for the Paris Paralympics.
Over 500 pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooters from 52 countries are anticipated to participate in the competition, vying to secure Paralympic quota spots in the final event of the qualification cycle.
Several top Indian para shooters are also participating in the event.
Gursharan also asserted that the PCI had notified the ministry that the elections were being postponed solely due to the imminent Para Shooting World Cup.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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