NEW DELHI: Junior para-cyclist Lisha Das has intensified her dispute with the country’s sports authorities ahead of her departure for the Commonwealth Games by informing the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) that she will not wear India’s official kit and will wear her own Tricolour. She also said she would stay out of the team hotel, travel on independently booked tickets and refuse federation travel and accommodation in Glasgow, citing “ongoing annoyance, mental distress and lack of support”.In another strong email – a copy of which is with TOI – the athlete demanded immediate accreditation and access to the playing field for his coach, Aditya Mehta, saying that the Delhi High Court had already recognized him as his coach. She reiterated that Mehta, technician K Dattatraya and physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh should have the necessary access for the event as their essential support staff.Lisha also objected to the use of her photos on the official platforms of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), claiming that they created a misleading impression that she had been trained, sponsored or supported by the authorities. As a minor, she said that neither she nor her guardian had consented to the use of the photos and warned of legal action if the material is not removed.His latest communication came after the CFI informed him that he had booked flight tickets for Lisha, Dr Shaikh and Dattatraya and was arranging accreditation, accommodation and airport transfers for the Indian para-cycling contingent in Glasgow. Mehta, however, was not included as his coach.Rejecting the arrangements, Lisha wrote: “I did not wear the official kit. I wore my own kit and carrying my own Indian flag.”She said she had independently borne the expenses for her training, equipment and participation in the Games. According to his coaching team, the expense amounted to around Rs 12 lakh, including non-refundable flight tickets, private accommodation in Glasgow and customs duties paid on his high-end custom cycle.Lisha added that she saw no reason to represent a support system “from which I did not receive significant support.” She also claimed that the federation had booked the tickets “without informing her in advance” and that her coach and support team had already finalized their travel and accommodation due to the “prolonged lack of clarity and timely communication”.Claiming that she will continue to represent India with pride, Lisha argued that her independent arrangements should not dilute her claim for accreditation for Mehta and his support staff.
