The International Paralympic Committee(IPC) refused to intervene in the affairs of the Paralympic Committee of India’s suspension by the Sports Ministry earlier this month. The International Governing Board backed off from the Sports Ministry’s suggestion to form an ad hoc committee along with the Sports Authority of India(SAI) to run the affairs of the PCI.

The Sports Ministry suspended the national governing body on February 2nd for not holding the election before the end of the four-year term on January 31. It directed SAI to form an ad hoc committee by negotiating talks with IPC. The PCI has scheduled the election for March 28.

The current PCI administration, under Deepa Malik, had claimed that the elections were postponed given the Para Shooting World Cup to be held in India from March 6 to 15.

IPC responds to Sports Ministry’s decision

On February 12, the Secretary-General of PCI, Gursharan Singh told the media that IPC had not accepted the proposal from the Sports Ministry to form an ad hoc committee as the board had not breached any obligation of the world body.

Just moments after this, confirming Mr.Singh’s statements, the international body told the sports ministry, in a letter, that the current governance of the PCI does not require any intervention. They also said that PCI hasn’t breached any of its member obligations.

“We are not in a position to form an ad hoc committee with the Sports Authority of India as you suggest,” the IPC said in the letter.

“We expect our members to manage their affairs autonomously and without interference from bodies outside the Paralympic Movement as required by the provisions of the IPC Constitution,” said the letter dated February 12.

“As the current governance questions you raise regarding the PCI stem from the national laws and regulations of India, we believe this matter be best resolved within the scope of the country’s decision-making process and institutional structures,” IPC said in the letter written by Kristina Molloy, IPC Chief Membership and Impact Officer.

The world body also advised the stakeholders to find a solution to the existing problem so that India can focus on the preparation of the athletes for the Paris Paralympics later this year.

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