New Delhi: The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has been suspended with immediate effect for an unlimited period of time following poor management in the conduct of 15th National Para Athletics Championship 2015.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the PCI was fully responsible for the lack of facility required for differently-abled athletes such as ramps, disabled-friendly toilets, lodging facilities etc., during the event held in Ghaziabad recently.
"There was total lack of planning in conceptualisation and conduct of the event. It was completely sorry state of affairs. There were mismanagement, negligence and completely irresponsibility on the part of PCI," he said during question hour in the Lok Sabha.
Sonowal said the Sports Authority of India had conducted an enquiry and on the report submitted by it, a show cause notice was issued to PCI. The government received a letter on April 15 from the International Paralympic Committee suspending PCI with immediate effect for an unlimited period of time.
"Keeping in view the serious complaints from different quarters including players and media, alleging poor management in the conduct of the 15th National Para Athletics Championship 2015, enquiry report submitted by SAI and suspension of PCI by the concerned international federation, the government suspended the recognisation given to PCI with immediate effect," he said.
