Para Asiad Selection Dispute Grows as Omitted Cyclists Challenge SAI’s Performance Criteria

A selection dispute has erupted in Indian para-cycling ahead of the Asian Para Games, with six cyclists left out of the proposed contingent planning to protest at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters on Thursday and question the criteria used to clear athletes for the event.

The Sports Ministry has approved only Arshad Shaik among the seven para-cyclists recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, beginning October 18. The other cyclists say they were not informed about their omission despite preparing for the event and meeting the qualification requirements at their own expense.

Road cyclist Prashant Arkal, along with Pavan Kumar Kommoji, Sameer, Vasani Babubhai, Shashruti Vinayak Nakade and Lisha Das, plans to meet Target Olympic Podium Scheme CEO N S Johal at the SAI office to raise the issue.

“We have been in Leh preparing for the Asian Para Games all this while, we didn't even know that our names have been omitted,” Arkal told PTI.

SAI, however, maintained that performance was the sole basis for selection and said only Arshad met the prescribed criteria. He finished fourth among nine competitors at this year's Asian Para Road Championships and fifth in the 1km time trial at the Asian Para Track Championships.

A senior SAI source argued that securing a qualification quota does not automatically guarantee selection, saying the purpose of having performance-based criteria would otherwise be defeated.

India has so far won only one bronze medal in para-cycling at the Para Asian Games, adding significance to the selection dispute as the team prepares for the upcoming competition.