In what will be termed as a serious embarrassment for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has categorically said that the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has performed no incorrect and would proceed to be recognised by the world physique.

On February 3, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had suspended the PCI as they’d failed to carry elections to the chief committee within the stipulated interval. Even because the PCI had introduced dates for the elections on March 28 on the basic meeting, the suspension got here as an enormous shock.

For the PCI President, Deepa Malik, this information was certainly surprising and she or he made fervent appeals to the MYAS to have a rethink. For its half, the ministry has not budged.
Two communication mails despatched by the IPC, copies of that are with RevSportz, make it clear the world physique is absolutely backing the committee in India.

“We have been made aware of the recent decision by the Government of India to suspend the recognition of NPC India with immediate effect,” says the e-mail dated February 12, signed by Kristina Molloy, Chief Membership and Impact Officer, IPC. “As the situation unfolded in the past week, we have received various correspondences, both from Deepa Malik (President) and Secretary General Gursharan Singh, as well as from the representative of the Government of India.”

The letter made it clear that the IPC is in favour of the elections in India on March 28. “We understand that you have recently sent out a notice to your members (of PCI) informing that the next General Assembly will be held on 28 March, 2024,” it stated. “We thank you for sharing this information and look forward to hearing about the outcomes of the General Assembly in due course, in line with the IPC requirements.”

In brief, the world physique is conscious of the state of affairs and absolutely backs the PCI, which has not accepted the “suspension” in a meek method. The letter additionally said very clearly that the IPC recognises the PCI. “There is currently no breach of any of its member obligations as defined under the IPC Constitution,” it stated. “Any question regarding adherence to national law is beyond our scope of intervention, and, as such, should be dealt with domestically.”

The motive the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had given for suspension was non-compliance with the National Sports Code. However, the IPC has made it clear that this is a matter which they won’t get embroiled in, whereas it continues to recognise the Indian physique.
In one other letter, dated February 12, addressed to Kunal, joint secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in response to a communication from the Indian authorities, the IPC says: “The Paralympic Committee of India is currently not in breach of any of its member obligations to the IPC. As such, the current governance situation of the PCI does not require an intervention from the IPC.”
The most caustic portion of the reply to the Sports Ministry hints at “interference”.

“We expect our members to manage their affairs autonomously and without interference from bodies outside the Paralympic Movement,” it stated. “Accordingly, we are not in a position to form an adhoc body with the Sports Authority of India, as you suggest. As the current governance questions you raise regarding the PCI stems from the national laws and regulations of India, we believe this matter will be resolved within the scope of the country’s own decision making progress and institutional structures.”

The IPC has additionally proven nice concern relating to the state of affairs in India and the way it may have an effect on the athletes preparations vis-a-vis the Paris 2024 Paralympics. “Based on your communication with us, as well as those we received from the PCI, we hope that all parties will be able to find an agreeable and workable solution as attention is focused towards facilitating the participation of Indian Para athletes on their pathway to the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” stated the letter.