Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia said that the exclusion of para badminton player Pramod Bhagat from the Indian contingent due to doping rule violation is disappointing but it will hamper their target of 25 medals for the Paralympic Games starting on August 28. There will be no effect. The Paris Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8. In this, 84 players from India will strive for medals in 12 sports. Tokyo Games gold medalist (men’s singles LL-3 category) para badminton player Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months for violating the BWF anti-doping ‘whereabouts’ rule.
When asked about Pramod in an interview given to Bhasha on the sidelines of the farewell ceremony of the Indian contingent for the Paris Paralympics, Jhajharia said that the entire responsibility of dealing with such a matter lies with the player himself. He said, “Look, there is no doubt that Pramod Bhagat is our star athlete and gold medalist in Tokyo Paralympics but the target of 25 medals that I have set is from our current contingent of 84 players. Pramod Bhagat is not involved in this.” BWF had said in a statement issued on Tuesday, ”Badminton World Federation confirms that India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months and will return to Paris. Will not play Paralympics.
It said, “On March 1, 2024, the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found Bhagat guilty of violating the BWF Anti-Doping Rules. He had failed to disclose his whereabouts thrice in a year.” Thirty-six-year-old SL3 player Bhagat had challenged the decision in the appeal division of CAS (Cavil for Sports), which was rejected last month. Jhajharia said, “Pramod’s achievement for the country is huge but the rules and regulations of the game have to be followed by the player under any circumstances. There has been some deficiency on their part.
Jhajharia, who won two gold and one silver medal in the Paralympic Games, said, “Pramod not being in the Indian team is a shock because he had given the country the top medal of the Paralympics.” About the target of ‘crossing 25 this time’ When asked, he said, “I have stated this target after some testing. Many people think that I am exaggerating. But I have seen the practice of the players, we have worked hard on their physical fitness and mental strength. This former javelin thrower said that this time the number of our players is much more than the previous event and they are better than before. Competing in more sports.
India was ranked 24th in the Tokyo Paralympics table with 19 medals, including five gold. “I have set a target of 25 medals and to be in the top 20 in the medal tally but we will win more medals than that,” he said. We had 56 players in the Tokyo Paralympics, this time 84 players will compete. For the first time, our players will present challenges in blind (visually impaired) judo, para sailing and para cycling.” Jhajharia expects the maximum medal from the Paralympic Games athletics team. He said, “Every player of ours is a contender to win a medal, our biggest contingent is in athletics and I am expecting the most medals from it. 47 players in the Indian team will play in the Paralympics for the first time and these players are very strong physically and mentally.
