NEW DELHI: India’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) contingent is under scrutiny after the youngest member of the 191-strong squad, 16-year-old para track cyclist Lisha Das expressed “deep disappointment” over the absence of a female coach or support staff in the track and para track cycling contingent, raising concerns over safety and security on the journey.In the emails to the sports authorities, Lisha wrote: “I am writing this email with great disappointment… I am a minor female para-athlete. I need a female escort and professional medical support. We have submitted a parental consent form naming Asha Shaikh, my physiotherapist, as my accompanying support staff… The right coaching, medical support, the highest safety of the athlete and athlete.” “Despite many representations from my parents, my coach, and me, this issue remains unresolved, while responsibility continues to shift between organizations. It is very sad that the athlete continues to suffer while the authorities engage in a blame game. One of the most frustrating aspects of this whole period is the continuous shift of responsibility. Whenever issues arise: The CFI says that it is the responsibility of the PCI: The PCII stated that this is the responsibility of PCI. Nor should my parents be held responsible for this administrative failure,” he added. The CWG contingent, cleared 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 medical staff member, cycling and para cycling are the only disciplines without female support staff.The removal appears to be inconsistent with the Sports Authority of India’s June 15, 2022 circular that mandates a female coach in contingents with female athletes during domestic and international camps and competitions, apart from appointing male and female compliance officers to protect female athletes.Four years ago, when the sports administration of the country was shaken by two complaints of harassment of female athletes in the disciplines of cycling and sailing against their respective coaches, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) made a circular in the office on June 15, 2022, with the desire to keep the sport safe and without discrimination against women. “Women coaches will be mandatory to be part of the contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competition exposures; and compliance officer (male and female) to be appointed in all national coaching camps and foreign exposures,” read the order of the SAI office.It will be recalled that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) recently allowed the 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on the India tour of Ireland and England, with the costs to be borne by the board to ensure compliance with child protection rules and ease his transition to a senior environment.The four-member support staff accompanying the cycling contingent includes male coach Kevin Rene Michel Sireau, male physiotherapist Prahlad Priyadarshi, male technician Rahul Nagappan Assari and male para cycling coach Dattatraya Katkam. However, in a later development, Lisha’s longtime coach Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta “replaced” Dattatreya in the official contingent. Dattatreya is currently a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) office bearer and can only travel ‘without government expense’ as per the ministry’s recent directive to NSF officials traveling with the CWG-bound contingent. However, Lisha’s main demand remains unfulfilled. appointing a female coach or support staff, including physiotherapist Asha, and a technician to assemble and maintain his special racing bike.