Ministry revokes PCI suspension

New Delhi, March 5

The Sports Ministry has lifted the suspension on the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), just days ahead of the body’s election. The ministry had suspended the PCI last month for delaying elections and over various sports code violations.

However, when a new body is soon to take over unopposed under Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympics gold medallist in javelin, on Sunday, the ministry has revoked its earlier order. The decision was conveyed today to the PCI via a letter from under-secretary Tarun Pareek.

“Considering that the main ground for suspension of Government recognition of PCI was delay in holding the election after expiry of the term of the EC of PCI, and that since the election process has reached the stage where the nominated candidates have been deemed to be duly elected unanimously; as well as the important fact that PCI is hosting 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup from 06 – 15 March, 2024 at New Delhi, it has been decided to revoke the suspension of PCI, with immediate effect,” the letter said.

While the suspension has been lifted, the manner in which the PCI was suspended and the ministry’s request to appoint an ad hoc body was rebuffed by the International Paralympic Committee.

IPC’s chief membership and impact officer Kristina Molloy, in her reply to the ministry, had said that the PCI was not in violation of any of the “member obligations” and that it expects the Indian body to manage its affairs autonomously.

“In light of the information provided to us by the PCI and by your office, and in accordance with the IPC Constitution adopted by our General Assembly in November 2022, the Paralympic Committee of India is currently not in breach of any of its member obligations to the IPC. As such, the current governance situation of the PCI does not require an intervention by the IPC,” Molloy had retorted after PCI’s suspension.