Para-athlete Sakina Khatun awarded conditional slot for CWG 2018

Indian para-powerlifter Sakina Khatun, who was initially snubbed for the Commonwealth Games 2018 in the Gold Coast, Australia, has been awarded conditional slot in women's lightweight Para Powerlifting event of the prestigious games.

Sakina, who is the only Indian para-athlete to clinch a medal at the Commonwealth Games - bronze in lightweight category in Glasgow - till date, was earlier ignored during the selection of the contingent for the CWG 2018.

The 28-year-old's axing from the Indian contingent for the Games came despite the athlete meeting the eligibility criteria as marked by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

In a letter to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) CEO, Group Captain Shahrukh Shamshad (Retd.) thanked Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for awarding a conditional slot to Sakina for 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The PCI CEO further assured that they would get the necessary medical done of Sakina by a recognised Medical Professional and would submit the necessary documents to IOA.

"PCI is thankful to CGF and IPC for awarding a conditional slot to Sakina Khatun in women's lightweight Para Powerliting event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. PCI confirms and accepts that it will get the necessary medical done of Sakina Khatun by a recognised Medical Professional and shall submit the necessary documents to IOA by 28th February 2018," Shamshad said.

Shamshad's response came in reply to a letter wrote by Rajeev Mehta on February 10, wherein the IOA said that the PCI did not send the powerlifter's name on time.

Replying to the same, the PCI CEO said, "It appears that the name of Sakina Khatun has been inadvertently missed out in the list of names of Powerlifters forwarded to the IOA by PCI. PCI is also thankful to IOA for putting as best effort 01 ensuring the entry of Ms. Saltine Khatun for 2018 CWG."

Recently, Sakina had told ANI that she would commit suicide in front of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) if her name was not considered for the Games.

"I am still waiting for my name to feature in the list. I will fight till the last and if then also my name is not included, then I will move to court because they have spoiled my life. I will not leave it, even If I have to commit suicide in front of IOA," she had said.

Meanwhile, Sakina, who was struck down by polio when she was just one-and-a-half years old, had earlier also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting his intervention in the same.

The para-powerlifter had mentioned in her letter to PM Modi that she meets the eligibility criteria needed for the Games while adding that she is striving to win another medal for the country.

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is slated to be held from April 4 and will run till April 15.