Indian para cyclist Lisha Das rejects federation’s support, opting to use her own equipment and flag | Commonwealth Games News

NEW DELHI: Ahead of her departure for the Commonwealth Games, para-cyclist Lisa Das has escalated her dispute with India’s sports authorities and informed the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) that she will not wear India’s official kit and will carry her own tricolor. She also said she would stay out of the team hotel, travel on independently booked flights and refused the federation’s travel and accommodation arrangements in Glasgow, citing “ongoing harassment, emotional distress and lack of support”.In another strongly worded email, a copy of which is available to TOI, the athlete demanded immediate accreditation and access to the playing field for her coach Aditya Mehta, saying the Delhi High Court had recognized him as her coach. She reiterated that Mehta, technician K Dattatraya and physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh must be given necessary access to the event as her vital support staff.Lisa also objected to the use of her photos on the official platform of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), claiming that the photos created a misleading impression that she had received training, sponsorship or support from the authorities. As a minor, she said neither she nor her guardians had consented to the photos being used, and warned that legal action would be taken if the material was not removed.Her latest communication comes after the CFI informed her that she had booked flights for Lisha, Dr Shaikh and Dattatraya and was arranging certification, accommodation and airport transfers for the Indian Para Cycling Team in Glasgow. However, Mehta is not listed as her coach.Lisa rejected the arrangement, writing: “I will not be wearing the official jersey. I will be wearing my own jersey and carrying my own Indian flag.”She said she paid for her own training, equipment and competition. According to her coaching team, the outlay was around Rs 12 lakh, which included non-refundable air tickets, private accommodation in Glasgow and customs duties for her high-end customized bike.Lisa added that she saw no reason on behalf of the support system “that I didn’t get meaningful support from them.” She further claimed the federation had booked the tickets “without notifying me in advance” and that her coaches and support team had finalized their travel and accommodation due to a “chronic lack of clear and timely communication”.Lisa stressed that she would continue to represent India proudly and she insisted that her independent arrangements should not undermine her accreditation requirements for Mehta and her support staff.