Para-athlete Sakina Khatun writes to PM Modi over CWG inclusion

Para powerlifter Sakina Khatun, who has not been included in the Indian contingent to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in the Gold Coast, Australia, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting his intervention in the same.

The 28-year-old, who is the only Indian para-athlete to clinch a medal at the Commonwealth Games - bronze in lightweight category in Glasgow - till date, was ignored during the selection of the contingent for the prestigious games.

Sakina'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 her letter to PM Modi, Khatun, who was struck down by polio when she was just one-and-a-half years old, mentioned that she meets the eligibility criteria needed for the Games while adding that she is striving to win another medal for the country.

"I am Sakina Khatun, a para powerlifter CWG 2014 Glasgow and Asian championship medallist. Presently, I am second in Commonwealth Ranking and I am covered under TOPS scheme of Government of India. I am the only para women athlete who secured a CWG medal till date. I'm proud to introduce myself as a trainee of COE scheme of SAI Bangalore since four years," she wrote.

Khatun, who currently sits at the second spot in the CWG and Asian rankings, added, "With all these credentials I am striving to win yet another medal for our country, but surprisingly I found my name is missing from the list of CWG contingent Gold Coast, despite achieving qualifying standards prescribed by the CWG criteria. With this, I'm very much pained and literally all my dreams of making my mother India proud is going to be shattered."

The para powerlifter further informed PM Modi that she had repeatedly requested the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for the inclusion of her name in the CWG, but nothing had happened in the matter so far.

Khatun, therefore, urged Prime Minister Modi to push for her entry for the Games, which is slated to be held from April 4 and will run till April 15.

"Sir for your kind information initially, I have requested several times to our Federation (PCI) in this context to facilitate the matter and making my entry to the Games(tag of all the correspondence is presented for your kind reference ). However, till date, nothing has happened and I'm afraid as the entry Gate to the CWG is closing shortly. Sir, I sincerely request for your intervention in this matter and I eagerly waiting for a favourable order from your side," Khatun said.

Earlier, Khatun had threatened that she would commit suicide in front of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) if her name was not considered for the Games.

Khatun told ANI, "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 also informed that she has also written a letter to the PCI for the inclusion of her name in the CWG. The PCI has then written a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), asking it to request the CWG organising committee to accept her entry.