In what can only be called the real depths of crass Indian babudom, Paralympics athletes from India have been dumped on their own, without escorts and coaches in London. A sportsperson on a wheelchair has no one to help him get onto it.
Farman Basha, Indian weightlifter, has told Mirror: “Officials didn’t even allow my coach. Instead all biggies with family members are on trip here.”
Mumbai Mirror carries a wrenching story where athletes have told the paper that while their coaches and escorts have not been allowed in the Parlympics Centre, Indian officials have taken their families who have little to do with sport, on a junket.
Mumbai Mirror reports:
Farman Basha of India. Getty Images
Paralympic Committee of India president Sultan Ahmed, also the union tourism minister of state, has made an appearance at the Paralympics along with his wife. So has treasurer Gurcharan Singh, who has arrived with wife and daughter in tow. PCI general secretary Ratan Singh has taken his son Amar Singh as an official
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The athletes of the Indian contingent are:
Athletics: H N Girisha (high jump), Jagseer Singh (long jump), Jaideep (discus), Narender (javelin), Amit Kumar (athletics)
Power-lifting: Farman Basha, Rajinder Singh Rahelu, Sachin Chaudhary
Swimming: Sharath M Gayakwad
Shooting: Naresh Kumar.
