India’s only para-cyclist at the Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, has written to the country’s top sports authorities, saying uncertainty about her support staff and travel arrangements for Glasgow has caused her “immense emotional distress” just before the Games begin.Lisha sent the email to officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Sports Ministry.The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games will be held on Thursday evening.In her letter, Lisha said she is still awaiting clarity on the approval of her support team, which includes personal trainer Aditya Mehta, female physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh and an experienced para-cycling technician.While Shaikh’s trip was eventually cleared after repeated requests and court intervention, there is still no confirmation of Mehta’s trip or accreditation. Instead, the authorities proposed K Dattatraya as a technician/coach, even though Lisha had earlier rejected his inclusion in his support team.Lisha said she had specifically requested that Mehta travel with her as a coach. Although this request was initially accepted, he has not received any updates on his travel arrangements.“I am writing this e-mail with a deeply heavy heart and immense emotional distress. As an athlete, my only responsibility should be to concentrate on my training and prepare to represent my country to the best of my ability. However, since May 15, I have continuously tried to reach the officials concerned and seeking clarity and support regarding my participation and travel arrangements as “Lishamon wrote as the quote of the Games. PTI.“I did not seek financial support for the years of training, equipment, preparation and qualification that allowed me to reach this level. My coach (Mehta) and his organization supported me independently a lot, including my training, equipment and preparation. Despite repeated communications and reminders, instead of receiving clarity, I faced continuous uncertainty, and added immense mental pressure.Mehta has now decided to organize the entire support team himself.“Lisha is India’s youngest and first para-cyclist to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, and she is also the first Indian para-cyclist to achieve this qualification. However, instead of being allowed to focus on representing the country, this young athlete is now forced to fight administrative battles on her own,” Mehta told PTI.“But don’t give up. Lisha will move forward with determination,” he added.Lisha said the uncertainty affected her preparations and left her “extremely demotivated”.“Yesterday, I was again contacted by officials through a video call on my coach’s phone. I clearly stated that I am a minor and that my coach and Dr. Shaikh are the guardians and support people who have been directly involved in my training, care and preparation.“I have asked that any issue that concerns me should be discussed directly with them.“I tried to focus on my training and competition. However, the repeated uncertainty, calls, messages and administrative obstacles caused immense stress at a time when I should have been preparing to compete and win medals for my country,” he wrote.Lisha also said that Mehta’s role as her coach had already been recorded during the trial before the Delhi High Court.“Despite court proceedings and orders passed by the Honorable High Court, I have continued to face immense uncertainty, repeated communications and what I feel has been considerable mental harassment regarding the same issue from my coach and support team.“I do not understand why, despite the fact that the matter is before the Hon’ble High Court and the position of my coach that has been recorded on the court record, I am still subjected to this level of uncertainty and pressure immediately before an important international competition,” he said.She clarified that she had no objection to Dattatraya’s journey as a technician, but insisted that his role could not replace that of his coach.“If K. Dattatraya was sent as coach, I have no objection to his role as coach. However, I need my coach, Aditya Mehta, to accompany me as my coach, along with any necessary technical or other support personnel.“A coach and a coach have different roles and responsibilities, and they cannot simply be treated as interchangeable,” he wrote.Lisha also said that if Mehta is not allowed to accompany her, she will arrange his trip.It warned that it would “not travel under the banner or financial support of the Government of India, ISC, PCI or CFI”.“I will make my own travel arrangements and travel at my own expense,” he said.Lisha also said that “I had not received any significant support from the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI for the competitions, equipment and preparation through which I reached this level”.“I respectfully ask that the organizations concerned do not claim credit for my achievements. I also ask that my photos and personal images are not used for advertising or promotional purposes without my consent.”