SportsPosted at: Oct 8 2026 6:45PM


Asian Para Games: Jhajharia backs selection process; keeps door open for changes

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia on Thursday defended the selection process for the upcoming Asian Para Games in Japan, saying all prescribed criteria had been followed while leaving the door open to reconsidering decisions after discussions with protesting athletes and the authorities.

Jhajharia said selections across disciplines had been made according to guidelines laid down by the PCI, Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI), while stressing that athletes remained the committee's top priority.

“Whether it is athletics, cycling, swimming or shooting, we have ensured that all the selection criteria have been met. We have followed the guidelines laid down by the Ministry. The athlete has always been and will always remain our top priority. We are increasing facilities in sports so that athletes get better support, and transparency has been maintained in every selection,” Jhajharia said.

“We have maintained transparency in every selection. Every selection is made according to the prescribed guidelines. There is a defined line, and the selection has been done according to that line. Someone may have a problem with the criteria, but nobody can move beyond those guidelines.”
However, he said concerns raised by protesting athletes would be discussed with the authorities and that changes could not be ruled out.
“The issue is very much in our knowledge and we will look into it. We will have discussions. Whenever it comes to the interests of athletes, we always take up their concerns," he said.

“We cannot say that there will definitely be no change. We will place the concerns raised by the athletes before the Board and also discuss the matter with the Ministry," he added.

Jhajharia said he had already met the protesting athletes and would hold further discussions.

“I have already met the protesting athletes and I will meet them again. Our athletes keep meeting us regularly," he said. "The athletes have raised some concerns, and they have been heard. We will now sit together and discuss those issues.”

The former Paralympic champion also said past performances or world rankings could not guarantee selection if an athlete failed to meet the prescribed trial criteria.

“There is a trial, and everything is decided on the basis of that trial. The criteria are laid down for the trial, and whoever clears those criteria is selected, while those who do not clear them are not selected.

“Even if I am ranked World No. 1 for a moment, that does not mean I will necessarily remain No. 1 on the day I compete at the Paralympics or the Para Asian Games. Rankings keep going up and down," he said.

Jhajharia reiterated that the PCI, Ministry and SAI had worked together on the selection process and that decisions had been taken according to the prescribed guidelines.
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