The International Paralympic Committee has suspended the Paralympic Committee of India for indefinite period for infighting within the national body and shoddy treatment meted out to athletes during the National Para-Athletics Championships at Ghaziabad last month.
In a letter dated April 15 and sent by email to PCI, the IPC said the suspension would be for an indefinite period.
"The situation in PCI has been chaotic for several years now, which is mostly due to individual conflicts at the national level between different groups and persons ... And the situation does not bring any positive outcome for the athletes," IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez said in the letter.
This is the second time the PCI has been suspended by the world body.
PCI secretary-general J Chandrashekar said that the hardest hit by the suspension will be the para-athletes and the national body will request the IPC to reconsider its decision.
Rajesh Tomar, who has been suspended by the Executive Committee of the PCI on April 4 for his role in the Ghaziabad fiasco, said that the government will have to intervene and request the IPC to remove the suspension.
"We are shocked at this harsh decision. The PCI cited infighting and the Ghaziabad incident for the suspension. We will request the world body to reconsider its decision. We will request at least to allow our athletes to take part in international event," Chandrashekar told PTI.
The suspension of the PCI would hit hard the Indian para-athletes as they will not be able to take part in IPC-sanctioned events, including the India Open Para Games to be held here from May 2-9. The Indian Open, set to the be first international para event to be hosted by the country, will have to be cancelled now.
Following the suspension of the PCI by its parent world body, the sports ministry also issued a show cause to the PCI to explain as to why the government recognition should not be withdrawn for violation of rules.
