The Madras High Court on Monday issued a set of 12 guidelines to the central and state governments, playing the role of a messiah for differently-abled female athletes who suffer from impingement. The orders were passed to streamline the policy of allowing participation of such athletes in state, national and international events.
Justice R. Mahadevan directed both the governments to prevent/prohibit unfair discrimination of female athletes with disabilities on one or more grounds including race, sex, sex, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion Gave. , conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
The judge directed the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Development Authority (SDAT) of Tamil Nadu to provide adequate financial assistance and all other necessary facilities to the differently-abled female athletes and follow a proper selection process so that the eligible participants are selected every time. be selected for the event. , She was ordered to provide necessary training and free medical facilities to all disabled women athletes of international repute. The court said that everything possible should be given to them to realize their full potential to achieve success in sporting events. The directions were issued while allowing a writ petition filed by M. Sameeha Barwin, an athlete from Chennai who was having difficulty in hearing.
The judge said she was openly discriminated against, cloaked in protectionism and not allowed to participate in the fourth World Championships in Athletics for the Deaf, held in Poland this year.
Even after the court passed an interim order directing the authorities to allow her to participate in the event, she was not treated well. The judge told the petitioner’s counsel R. Prabhakaran that data showing lower participation of female athletes with disabilities compared to the number of male athletes in the Paralympics was a sign of discrimination.
Considering that it would be the responsibility of the state to create a conducive environment for differently abled female athletes to participate in international events, rather than promoting protectionism or romantic paternalism, the judge asked governments to provide financial assistance to a family member with such an athlete. instructed to give for international sports.
During the travel period, regardless of the number of participants, the safety and security of differently abled female athletes should be ensured, in order to inspire their confidence and encourage them to actively participate in events at all levels. be encouraged. The court ordered that male athletes should also be made aware of the need to maintain a safe environment for their female counterparts.
Justice Mahadevan made it clear that governments should provide handicap-friendly materials, clothing, prosthetics and other aids that women athletes with disabilities may require.
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