India’s only para cyclist competing at the Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, wrote to the country’s top sports authority saying uncertainty about her support staff and travel arrangements to Glasgow had caused her to “suffer significant emotional distress” ahead of the Games.Lisha has sent emails to officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Sports Ministry.The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will take place on Thursday evening.In her letter, Lisa said she was still waiting for clear approval from her support team, which includes personal trainer Aditya Mehta, female physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh and experienced paracycling technicians.Although after multiple requests and court intervention, Sheikh’s travel was eventually approved, Mehta’s travel or certification remained unconfirmed. Instead, the authorities proposed K Dattatra as technician/coach despite Lisha’s earlier refusal to include him in her support team.Lisa said she specifically asked Mehta to come with her as a coach. Although the request was initially accepted, she has yet to receive any updates on travel arrangements.“I write this email with a heavy heart and immense emotional pain. As an athlete, my only responsibility should be to focus on training and prepare to represent my country to the best of my ability. However, since May 15, I have been trying to contact the relevant officials to seek clarity and support regarding my participation in the Commonwealth Games and travel arrangements,” Lisa wrote, according to news agency PTI.“My training, equipment, preparation and qualifications over the years have gotten me to this level without asking for financial support. My coach (Mehta) and his organization have independently provided me with extensive support with my training, equipment and preparation. Despite repeated communications and reminders, I have not been given clear answers but have faced continued uncertainty and intense mental pressure,” she added.Mehta now decided to organize the entire support team himself.“Lisa is India’s youngest and first para cyclist to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and she is also the first Indian female para cyclist to do so. However, the young athlete was not allowed to focus on representing the country and is now forced to fight the administrative battle alone,” Mehta told PTI.“But she will not give up. Lisa will move forward with determination,” he added.Lisa said the uncertainty affected her preparations and left her “extremely frustrated.”“Yesterday, officials contacted me again via video call from my coach. I made it clear that I am a minor and that my coach and Dr. Sheikh are guardians and supporters who are directly involved in my training, care and preparation.“I request that any matter concerning me be discussed directly with them.“I have been trying hard to focus on my training and competition. However, the recurring uncertainty, phone calls, information and administrative hurdles have caused me tremendous stress at a time when I should be preparing to compete and win medals for my country,” she wrote.Lisa also pointed out that Mehta’s role as her coach has been brought on record during proceedings in the Delhi High Court.“Despite the court proceedings and High Court order, I continue to face tremendous uncertainty, back-and-forth communications and what I believe is considerable mental harassment regarding the same issue from my coaching and support team.She said: “I don’t understand why, despite the matter being before the High Court and my coach’s position being recorded in the court records, I am still faced with this level of uncertainty and pressure ahead of a major international match.”She clarified that she had no objection to Dattatreya traveling as a technician but insisted that his role cannot replace her coaching.“If K. Dattatraya is sent as a technician, I have no objection to him being a technician. However, I need my coach Aditya Mehta to accompany me as my coach, along with any required technicians or other support staff.“Technicians and coaches have different roles and responsibilities, and they cannot simply be viewed as interchangeable,” she wrote.Lisa further said that if Mehta is not allowed to accompany her, she will arrange her own journey.She warned that she “will not travel in the name or with the financial support of the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI”.“I will arrange my own travel and pay for my own travel expenses,” she said.Lisha also claims that she “received no meaningful support from the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI in terms of competition, equipment and preparation through which I have reached this level”.“I respectfully request that the organizations concerned do not take credit for my achievements. I also request that my photographs and personal images are not used for publicity or promotional purposes without my consent.”
