Maken issues show cause notice to Paralympic officials for ill-treatng athletes

Cracking the whip on the Paralympic Committee of India after receiving complaints from the participants in the London Games, Sports Minister Ajay Maken today issued a show cause notice to the body.

"On the basis of petitions received from participating paralympic athletes and others, show cause notice being issued to the PCI," Maken wrote on his twitter page.

Arjuna awardee powerlifter Farman Basha is among the parathletes who have complained of official apathy, saying that the passes of escorts and coaches at the Games Village are being used by officials of the PCI.

"My wife, Antonia sold her jewellery so I could represent India at the Games. She was also supposed to help me get my way around the events. She's my soul mate and I owe my success to her.

"Sadly, today she's stranded outside the Games Village, because Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) members are using the free facilities meant for athletes and their support staff," he wrote in a petition.

Officials from PCI have, however, denied these allegations.

"We cannot have an escort for every athlete. We have 10 athletes and only six people have been sanctioned to stay inside the Games Village. We are managing things with some people coming early at the Village and leaving late in the evening," an official from PCI told PTI.