Bhubaneswar: The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) announced free accommodation and transport for para-athletes for the upcoming 20th Para Athletic Championship to be held in Bhubaneswar. This was announced after disability rights activist Jitendra Biswal raised concerns about PCI asking the para-athletes to bear their own expanse of traveling, lodging & boarding.
In his social media posts, Biswal highlighted the matter and stated that its insensitive and unjustified. He had written a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to look into the matter.
“This is welcome news for para-athletes,” Biswal said.
PCI president Deepa Malik in a tweet on Wednesday night had apprised him about the decision. “She mentioned that the decision was taken on 10th March after an assurance from Odisha CM,” he said.
The earlier mentioned entry fee of Rs 1000 has been now changed annual license & membership fee by PCI. “PCI has updated its website and mentioned Rs 1000 as ‘Annual License & Membership Fee’. The problem with this new announcement is that para athletes in India are not aware what the ‘annual license & membership fee’ means and when their membership fees are due,” he said.