India’s lone para-cyclist at the Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, has written to the country’s top sports authorities, saying her support staff’s uncertainty and travel arrangements for Glasgow have caused her “great emotional distress” ahead of the Games.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 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will be held on Thursday evening.In her letter, Lisha said she is still awaiting clarification on the approval of her support team, which includes personal coach Aditya Mehta, female physiotherapist Dr Asha Shaikh and an experienced para-cycling technician.While Shaikh’s travel was eventually cleared after repeated requests and court intervention, there is still no confirmation about Mehta’s travel or accreditation. Instead, the authorities suggested K Dattatraya as a technician/coach, although Lisha rejected his participation in his support team.Lisha said she specifically requested that Mehta travel with her as a coach. Although the request was initially accepted, he did not receive any update on his travel arrangements.“I am writing this e-mail with a heavy heart and great emotional distress. As an athlete, my only responsibility is to concentrate on my training and prepare to represent my country to the best of my ability. However, since May 15, I have continued to try to reach the relevant officials and ask for clarification and support regarding my participation and travel arrangements to the Commonwealth Games,” he wrote. Lisha of the Commonwealth news agency.“I did not seek financial support for the years of training, equipment, preparation and qualification that enabled me to reach this level. My coach (Mehta) and his organization independently supported me in a wide way, including my training, equipment and preparation. Despite repeated communications and reminders, instead of receiving an explanation, I faced continuous uncertainty and he added severe mental pressure, ” he added.Mehta has now decided to arrange the entire support team himself.“Lisha is the youngest and first Indian para cyclist to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, and she is also the first Indian woman para cyclist to achieve this qualification. But, 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 she will not give up. Lisha will continue with determination,” he added.Lisha said the uncertainty had affected her preparations and left her “very depressed”.“Yesterday, the officials again contacted me 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 persons directly involved in my training, care and preparation.“I request that anything concerning me should be discussed directly with them.“I am trying to focus on my training and competition. However, repeated insecurities, calls, messages and management obstacles have caused severe stress at a time when I should be preparing to compete and win medals for my country,” he wrote.Lisha also pointed out that Mehta’s role as her coach has been recorded in the proceedings before the Delhi High Court.“Despite the court proceedings and the orders passed by the Hon’ble High Court, I continue to face a lot of uncertainty, repeated communications and what I feel is a lot of mental harassment regarding the same issue with my coach and support team.“I fail to understand why, despite the case before the Hon’ble High Court and my coach’s position recorded in the court record, I am still being subjected to this level of uncertainty and pressure before an important international competition,” he said.He made it clear that he had no objection to Dattatraya traveling as a technician but insisted that his role would not replace that of his coach.“If K. Dattatraya is sent as a technician, I have no objection to his role as a technician. However, I need my coach, Aditya Mehta, to accompany me as my coach, along with any necessary technicians or other support personnel.“A technician and a coach have different roles and responsibilities, and they cannot be considered interchangeable,” he wrote.Lisha added that if Mehta is not allowed to accompany her, she will arrange her own travel.He warned that “he will not travel under the flag or financial support of the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI”.“I will make my own travel arrangements and travel at my own expense,” he said.Lisha also admitted that she “did not receive meaningful support from the Government of India, SAI, PCI or CFI for the competitions, equipment and preparation through which I reached this level”.“I respectfully request that the organizations concerned not claim credit for my achievements. I also request that my photos and personal images not be used for publicity or promotional purposes without my permission.”