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India urges IPC to Allow Indian Para-Athletes to Participate under Indian Tricolor Flag

[New Delhi]India urges IPC to Allow Indian Para-Athletes to Participate under Indian Tricolor Flag
Sports Ministry urges International Paralympic Committee to allow Indian para-athletes to participate into competitions under the National Flag of India
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has urged the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Indian athletes to participate into competitions under the National Flag of India.
In response to a letter written by the CEO, International Paralympic Committee, Xavier Gonzalez, the Ministry has also urged the IPC that those who are not included under the Sport Data Management System (SDMS) may be permitted to participate in these competitions.
The letter sent today to Shri Gonzalez has deeply appreciated IPC’s support for Para-athletes and Para-sports in India. It said that Para-sports in India is at a nascent stage and needs to be encouraged in every possible manner. Govt. of India has been providing all possible support to Para-athletes and para-sports and if any restriction is imposed on participation of Indian athletes and if they are not allowed to compete under the National Flag of India, they will feel demotivated and this will be a huge set-back to the efforts being made by the Government for promotion of Para- sports in the country.
Earlier, Shri Gonzalez in his letter to Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports dated 18th May, 2015, had mentioned that in order not to penalise Indian athletes, IPC has decided to enable athletes who are already licensed in SDMS system to participate into competitions. It also said that these athletes will not represent their country but will be competing under the IPC flag for the moment.