Hyderabad: India’s top female para-shuttlers Palak Kohli and Parul Parmar are awaiting support from the government ahead of Paralympics 2021. While six male shuttlers are well supported by the government, there is no news of the women shuttlers yet. Both the shuttlers have definite chances to qualify for the Paralympics which commences from August 2021, and they are continuing to struggle without any support from the government.
With just one qualifying tournament left before the Paralympics, Palak and Parul are a thousand points ahead and are assured of qualification, yet they didn’t receive help from Khelo India, neither are they included in the TOPs. Despite tweeting and writing to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Palak has not got any response yet.
Appeal to Sir,@KirenRijiju @RijijuOffice
Sir, me and @ParulPa60813145 are the only Females in Para Badminton from India, attained eligibility to qualify for @NBCOlympics .@Media_SAI
It's October 2020 now.
When we would get support from #Tops
for our preparations.— PALAK KOHLI 👸🏸💫♥️🏆🏅 (@palakkohli2002) October 19, 2020
“Currently, I am world No.5 and top and the only para-badminton athlete from the country to qualify for both singles and women’s doubles for Tokyo Paralympics 2021…Now short time is left and I need equipment support from Khelo India nor I am getting enrolled in TOPs. Hence, I am being deprived of the facilities and support which are also required to prepare for the Paralympics that includes various equipment support also,” Palak wrote to sports minister Kiren Rijiju as reported by Time of India.