{
  "id": 13900185,
  "title": "Indian athletes protest for four days over Asian Para Games 2026 selection",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/indian-athletes-protest-for-four-days-over-asian-para-games-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T07:17:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/indian-athletes-protest-for-four-days-over-asian-para-games-2026-selection-1.500707164"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian para-cyclists have been protesting in New Delhi for four days in a bid to overturn their exclusion from the final line-up for the 2026 Asian Para Games, with athletes demanding answers from officials as to why just a single rider from their discipline made the cut. The sit-in at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium comes after the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) have not been in contact with the cyclists since the protest began, despite the team claiming that their performances at international events were ignored. India earned quota spots for six male and three female riders through UCI ranking points accumulated during 2025 international competitions, but the final selection list only included one. The athletes argue that officials prioritized results from the Asian Cycling Championships, where a top-two finish was required, over considering their broader performance during the 2025-26 season. Prashant Arkal, who took home two silver medals in 2025, said a crash in Saudi Arabia knocked him down to fourth place, but he later won bronze at a French competition, finishing five spots ahead of a rider ranked higher in Asia. Vishva Vasani, also recommended for selection, said officials did not factor in her 2026 Asian Championships silver medal because only two riders entered her category. Lisha Das, a 16-year-old para-cyclist from Assam, said the athletes had even offered to cover their own expenses to compete in Japan, highlighting the lack of financial support for para-cycling, which demands specialized equipment and customized bikes. Arkal called the selection process \"complete ignorance of para-athletes\" and alleged a violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Delhi High Court is set to hear the matter on Monday, with the athletes insisting on being included in India’s contingent, believing a competitive performance in Japan could also secure qualification opportunities for the 2028 Paralympics.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Indian para-cyclists have spent four days protesting in New Delhi over their exclusion from the final selection for the 2026 Asian Para Games, demanding that officials explain why only one rider from their discipline was picked. The athletes continued their sit-in outside Gate No. 1 of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, claiming that performances and ranking points earned at international…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}