Nitesh Kumar, India’s celebrated Paralympic gold medalist, has recently voiced his dissatisfaction with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) over their handling of para-badminton. His concerns, shared on social media, have sparked a significant conversation about the management and future of para-badminton in India.
Nitesh Kumar’s Achievements
Nitesh Kumar’s journey to becoming a Paralympic champion is nothing short of inspirational. At the age of 15, he lost his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009. Despite this life-altering event, Nitesh found his passion in para-badminton and has since become a formidable player. His recent victory at the Paris Paralympics 2024, where he clinched the gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 category, is a testament to his resilience and dedication.
The Allegations Against BAI
Nitesh Kumar’s criticism of BAI centers around their lack of interest and inadequate response to the needs of para-badminton athletes. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Nitesh expressed his frustration, stating that despite occasional social media appreciation from BAI, the athletes are highly dissatisfied with the association’s handling of para-badminton responsibilities. He called for the sport to be handed over to the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for better management.
Irrespective of the social media appreciation from @BAI_Media (which is very rare),we the athletes are highly dissatisfied with the response & the interest from BAI regarding Para badminton responsibilities, we sincerely request BAI & @Media_SAI to handover para badminton to PCI https://t.co/IeiGcagD8Q
— Nitesh kumar (@niteshnk11) September 10, 2024
As of now, there has been no official response from BAI regarding Nitesh Kumar’s allegations. However, the public outcry and support for Nitesh’s statements suggest that the association will need to address these concerns promptly. The involvement of the PCI in managing para-badminton could potentially lead to better support and resources for the athletes.
Nitesh Kumar’s vision for the future of para-badminton in India is clear. He envisions a system where para-athletes are given the same level of support and recognition as their able-bodied counterparts. His call for the PCI to take over the management of para-badminton is a step towards achieving this vision.
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