Commonwealth Games: Lisha Das Faces Uncertainty After Coach Denied Accreditation
Commonwealth Games: Lisha Das Faces Uncertainty After Coach Denied Accreditation Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 18:39 IST Para cyclist Lisha Das may miss
Commonwealth Games: Lisha Das Faces Uncertainty After Coach Denied Accreditation Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 18:39 IST Para cyclist Lisha Das may miss Commonwealth Games as her coach was denied accreditation. She seeks help from IOA, PCI, CFI, and Sports Ministry. News18 India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, 16-year-old Lisha Das, has raised concerns over her participation after her personal coach was denied accreditation, saying she may be forced to miss the event if the issue is not resolved. Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow Games through the continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Cycling Federation of India (CFI), the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry, requesting accreditation for her long-time coach, Aditya Mehta.
The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, said she was instead asked to accept CFI executive member K Dattatraya as her accompanying official, despite him not being her coach. In her emails, she argued that, as a minor female para athlete, she requires someone familiar with both her sporting and medical needs, along with appropriate support during the Games. Lisha also claimed she was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter naming Dattatraya as her coach, but refused because Mehta had guided her throughout her journey to Commonwealth Games qualification. She added that Mehta is willing to travel at his own expense and is only seeking the accreditation needed to accompany her in an official capacity. The Sports Ministry’s current policy does not permit additional personal coaches beyond the sanctioned contingent, even if they are self-funded.
Earlier this year, the ministry said requests would be assessed based on a coach’s “demonstrable contribution" and “regular association" with the athlete, but no extra accreditations would be granted outside the approved delegation. The issue has also sparked conflicting claims between the CFI and PCI. CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh initially denied that the federation had recommended any coach for Lisha. However, the federation later clarified in an email that it had submitted a panel of three support staff members, including both Mehta and Dattatraya, to the PCI. The PCI, meanwhile, said it had only forwarded the names received from the national federation, leaving the matter between the CFI and the IOA. (With PTI Inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is the Sports Ministry's policy on personal coaches?
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