India's Government has called on the IPC for support after suspending its national Paralympic committee ©Getty Images

India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has urged the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to support the country after suspending its own national Paralympic committee, just days after the IPC also suspended it for gross mismanagement.

This latest IPC suspension is the Paralympic Committee of India's (PCI) third since its formation in 1992.

The Ministry took action following a number of complaints at the National Para Athletics Championships in Ghaziabad last month and said the body “has not been functioning in the best interest of Parasport” as there has been “large scale dissatisfaction”.

It insisted the National Paralympic Committee is having an adverse impact on the development of Para-sport in the nation as well as on its athletes.

No future date for reinstating the body or deadline for conditions to be met has been given.

The PCI has denied all allegations of misconduct.

"We will be meeting our athletes who are training in Delhi's Nehru Stadium, and ask them what should be our response to the Sports Ministry," a PCI spokesperson told NDTV.

"The IPC has said there is infighting, but that is not true.

“Ninety-nine-and-a-half per cent of the members are together.

“We are all concerned about the pride of our country and our athletes.”

The Government has now written to IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez calling for the formation of an ad hoc committee to work in place of the PCI until the nation has an IPC recognised body.

Alternatively, the IPC could authorise the Sports Authority of India, which is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to send entries of the county’s athletes for IPC sanctioned tournaments.

“An early action is solicited in the best interest of development and promotion of Parasports in India and to protect the interests of Indian Para-athletes,” read a Government statement.

A PCI General Assembly is reportedly due to be held on May 18.


Related stories
April 2015: Paralympic Committee of India suspended by IPC for gross mismanagement
February 2014: Indian Olympic Association President wants "only look for the future" as flag finally raised at Sochi 2014
March 2013: Paralympic Committee of India forced to postpone meeting after legal row
October 2011: Indian Paralympic Committee suspended but athletes may still attend London 2012
May 2010: Athletes accuse Paralympic Committee of India of corruption