Para sports activist demands TV broadcast of Rio Paralympics

New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) Para Sports Foundation general secretary and former international athlete Pradeep Raj has demanded that the 2016 Paralympics, which start in Rio de Janeiro from Wednesday, be broadcast over television.

Addressing a press conference to demand television broadcast of Rio Paralympics, Raj launched a scathing attack on officials travelling to the Paralympics, saying most of them either spend their time shopping or vacationing during such sporting events.

"Most officials, who couldn't go for the Rio Olympics have been sent this time to Rio. These are powerful people and they force the athletes to take them as coaches," Raj said.

"These officials obviously know nothing about sports or Para sports. They go their on taxpayers' money just for vacation. On most occasions, these officials don't even visit the stadium, leave aside helping the athletes in their performance," he added.

Demanding telecast of the Paralympics in India, Raj said that despite repeated requests, there has been no reply from the authorities.

"This is huge discrimination on the part of the government for the para athletes. We are also citizens of the same country and when there was no problem in telecasting the Rio Olympics, where is the hurdle now?" he asked.

He also warned that they will be forced to take recourse of legal options if their demand is not met.

--IANS

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