In an incident that should put sporting authorities in India to shame, a female Paralympic swimmer who won a silver medal in Berlin, was forced to beg for money in a foreign country. Kanchanmala, the swimmer, is totally blind and swims in S11 category.
She has qualified for the world championship. She describes her time at the para swimming championship in the German capital as no less than a horror show. The Paralympics Commission of India sanctioned her money and a coach, but neither of them reached her and the teammates. She went through a difficult time and was forced to ask for money from unknown people. She had to bear her own hotel and food expenses and the money never reached her. Kanchanmala also took a loan of Rs 5 lakh to participate in the tournament. In Berlin she paid about Rs 70,000 for hotel and 40,000 Rs for food. Arranging for a visa cost her an additional 15,000 Rs.
This is UNACCEPTABLE. People must be held accountable. @VijayGoelBJP @narendramodi https://t.co/dBIrey8TYR
— Abhinav Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) July 12, 2017
The Paralympics Commission of India has blamed the Sports Authority of India for not sanctioning the money of time. Whatever be the bureaucratic or administrative hassles, it is a matter of great shame that an extremely dedicated and talented athlete had to endure so much. The authorities should tender an apology to her and reimburse all the money that she had to spend. Indian sporting bodies are already known for being indifferent to the achievements of many of our athletic heroes, but not even sanctioning money for sporting events where they represent the nation, is as woeful as it gets.
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