Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports grants recognition to Paralympic Committee of India

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on 1 July 2016 granted recognition to Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

The recognition comes as a huge confidence boost to the several para-athletes who have qualified for Rio Paralympics.

The Ministry granted recognition to PCI after having conducted free and fair elections with a former Justice of Allahabad High Court as Returning Officer, and after recognition by International Paralympic Committee.

Background

• The Paralympic Committee of India was suspended in April 2015 due to internal conflicts between different groups and persons. The conflicts were deteriorating the development of Paralympic Movement in India.

• On 31 May 2016, the International Paralympic Committee decided to lift the ban on the Paralympic Committee of India with the sole purpose of allowing para-athletes of the country to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games under the tri-colour.

• The IPC had asked the PCI to implement the major reforms programmes outlined by the world body, failing which it could be suspended again.

About Paralympic Committee of India

• The Paralympic Committee of India is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games and other international athletic meets.

• The organisation was founded in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India.

• The first president of the Paralympic Committee of India was Rathan Singh.

• The PCI was given public authority status by the RTI Act of 2005.

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