Sameeha Barwin, an athlete from the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, has been dropped out of participating in the 4th World Deaf Athletics Championships. The reason? The Sports Authority of India (SAI) allegedly can’t send a woman alone with the five other male athletes selected during the national trials.
Sameeha, 18, is a long jump and 100-metre track athlete who has broken records and won gold medals for her excellent performance. She has 90% hearing impairment and has been competing since she was only 12 years of age. This decision by SAI to leave her out is baseless and arbitrary. Sameeha’s mother is fighting against this, saying, “More than anything, I am now fighting for her dignity”.
Leaving out the only female athlete qualifying for the championship reeks of sexism. At a time when Indian women are proving their accomplishments as athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and being cheered on by the whole country, SAI should be encouraging Sameeha to capitalise on her potential as well.
There is also no clarity to the public about the thinking and processes that went into this decision. Padmini Chennapragada, a Disability Sports Researcher, reports an absence of transparency in sports authorities’ decisions. She has witnessed at least 15 athletes lose their careers trying to procure documentation/certificates from the SAI and the All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD).
We demand that:
SAI give Sameeha her rightful opportunity to participate in the World Deaf Athletics Championships to be held in Poland from August 23 to 28.
the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports mandate mechanisms that ensure transparency between the athletes and major sports organisations.
The whims of SAI can have long-term consequences for Sameeha’s career, one which she has proven she deserves a shot at. Let's take a stand for her hard work and get her to the Championship: Sign the petition!
Source:
Athlete allegedly dropped for event in Poland by SAI as they can't 'send woman alone' - The News Minute
Sameeha Barwin, an athlete from the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, has been dropped out of participating in the 4th World Deaf Athletics Championships. The reason? The Sports Authority of India (SAI) allegedly can’t send a woman alone with the five other male athletes selected during the national trials.
Sameeha, 18, is a long jump and 100-metre track athlete who has broken records and won gold medals for her excellent performance. She has 90% hearing impairment and has been competing since she was only 12 years of age. This decision by SAI to leave her out is baseless and arbitrary. Sameeha’s mother is fighting against this, saying, “More than anything, I am now fighting for her dignity”.
Leaving out the only female athlete qualifying for the championship reeks of sexism. At a time when Indian women are proving their accomplishments as athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and being cheered on by the whole country, SAI should be encouraging Sameeha to capitalise on her potential as well.
There is also no clarity to the public about the thinking and processes that went into this decision. Padmini Chennapragada, a Disability Sports Researcher, reports an absence of transparency in sports authorities’ decisions. She has witnessed at least 15 athletes lose their careers trying to procure documentation/certificates from the SAI and the All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD).
We demand that:
SAI give Sameeha her rightful opportunity to participate in the World Deaf Athletics Championships to be held in Poland from August 23 to 28.
the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports mandate mechanisms that ensure transparency between the athletes and major sports organisations.
The whims of SAI can have long-term consequences for Sameeha’s career, one which she has proven she deserves a shot at. Let's take a stand for her hard work and get her to the Championship: Sign the petition!
Source:
Athlete allegedly dropped for event in Poland by SAI as they can't 'send woman alone' - The News Minute
Thank you for standing with Sameeha and demanding corrective action from Sports Authority of India. Please spread the word among your friends and family to amplify this petition!
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