The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has sought a detailed report from the Paralympic Committee of India for forcing the players to sign a code of conduct ahead of the Asian Para Games in Incheon. Clauses, included allowing officials to search their belongings at will. http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/sports-ministry-seeks-report-from-the-pci/ The Indian Express carried a detailed report a day before highlighting the grouses raised by the athletes specifically those that obligates them to give blood samples for HIV testing; provide their complete immunisation history; and let officials search their possessions at the accommodation provided for the Games.
"Attention of the Ministry of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports has been drawn to a news report published in a section of media on 17th October, 2014 regarding a contract between the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Indian athletes participating in Para Asian Games, 2014. As per the report, the contract bars the players from approaching the media with their complaints and permits officials to search their belongings. ....Taking note of the news item, the Ministry has asked the PCI to submit a detailed report in this regard within a week," the ministry said in a statement. "It has also been reported that the players have not been provided escorts. In this connection, it is stated that the Ministry has sanctioned a contingent of 93 players, 18 coaches,23 escorts after consulting SAI, PCI and the players," the statement added. PCI chief Rajesh Tomar had claimed the contract was drawn up o ensure discipline and enforce anti-doping measures, and claimed that the agreement was endorsed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The claim was rubbised by IPC's director, media and communications, Craig Spence. On 10/17/14, avinash shahi <shahi88avin...@gmail.com> wrote: > Horrible, utterly horrible. > > > On 10/17/14, Sruti disAbility Rights Centre <sruti.d...@gmail.com> wrote: >> 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. >> Clean India Campaign: Let us also chip in! >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > -- > Avinash Shahi > Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU > -- Avinash Shahi Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU Clean India Campaign: Let us also chip in! Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. 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