NEW DELHI: India’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) contingent has come under scrutiny after the youngest member of the 191-strong team, 16-year-old para track cyclist Lisha Das, expressed “deep disappointment” over the absence of a woman coach or support staff in the track and para track cycling contingent, raising minor concerns about travel and safety.In an email to the sports authorities, Lisha wrote: “I am writing this email with deep disappointment… I am a minor female para-athlete. I have requested a female escort and a medical support professional. We have submitted the parental consent form on behalf of Asha Shaikh, my physiotherapist, as well as my accompanying support staff… Correct coaching, medical support, an athlete should be the highest security athlete.” “Despite many representations from my parents, my coach, and me, this issue remains unresolved, while responsibility continues to be shifted between organizations. It is extremely unfortunate that the athlete continues to suffer while the authorities engage in a blame game. One of the most disappointing aspects of this whole episode is the continuous shift of responsibility. It is the responsibility of CFI, neither me nor my parents must be held responsible for this administrative failure,” he added. The CWG contingent, released by the sports ministry on July 9, includes 126 athletes, 51 officials and 14 contingent staff. While every other discipline has at least one female coach, physiotherapist or member of the medical staff, cycling and paracycling are the only disciplines without female support staff.The omission seems inconsistent with the circular of the Sports Authority of India of June 15, 2022 that sends a woman coach in contingents with female athletes during national and international camps and competitions, in addition to appointing male and female compliance officers to safeguard female athletes.Four years ago, when the country’s sports administration was rocked by two complaints of harassment by female athletes in cycling and sailing disciplines against their respective coaches, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had issued an office circular on June 15, 2022, with a view to keeping the sport safe and free from harassment and discrimination for women and discrimination. “The women’s coach must be compulsorily part of the contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competition exhibitions; and the compliance officer (male and female) must be appointed in all domestic coaching camps and foreign exhibitions,” reads the order of the SAI office.It can be recalled that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) recently allowed the parents of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to accompany him on the Indian tour of Ireland and England, with the expenses borne by the board to ensure compliance with child safety standards and facilitate his transition in a senior environment.The four-member support staff accompanying the cycling contingent includes men’s coach Kevin Rene Michel Sireau, men’s physiotherapist Prahlad Priyadarshi, men’s technician Rahul Nagappan Assari and men’s cycling coach Dattatraya Katkam. However, in a late development, Lisha’s long-time coach Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta has ‘replaced’ Dattatreya in the official contingent. Dattatreya is currently an official of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and can only travel “at no cost to the government” following a recent ministry directive on NSF officials traveling with the CWG contingent. However, Lisha’s key demands remain unmet: appointment of a female coach or support staff, inclusion of physiotherapist Asha, and a technician to assemble and maintain her specialized racing bike.