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Deadspin | Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes look to shut down Senators in Game 2  Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) looks against the Ottawa Senators during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images   Finding space on the ice is expected to be an ongoing challenge for the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.  So, finding any small edge will be critical when they meet in Game 2 on Monday night at Raleigh, N.C.  “The first round always has all the energy in the world and that’s what you expect,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.  Carolina won 2-0 in the first game Saturday behind Frederik Andersen’s 22-save performance.  Both teams had difficulty finding openings and more of that could be in the works.  “I don’t think this series it’s ever going to look like there’s a ton of space out there,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “It’s going to look very similar every night. I think at the end of every game, both teams are going to feel like there wasn’t space on the ice and I don’t see changing.”  So, it came down to what the goalies could do.  “The goalies had to really shine,” Brind’Amour said.  Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark made 27 saves Saturday, but he fell to 5-11 in career playoff games. He was sharp as well, though Andersen stole the spotlight when it wasn’t clear leading up to the series opener if he would be Brind’Amour’s choice.  He had to decide between Andersen and rookie Brandon Bussi. Andersen got the call.  “He was up to the challenge,” Brind’Amour said. “We have good options and both guys have played well. Clearly, experience, I think won out. … Freddy has a track record and we know what he’s capable of.”  Green said to win on the road in the playoffs the goalie has to play well (and he liked Ullmark’s outing) and a power-play goal or two would be a boost.  The teams combined to go 0-for-9 on power plays in Game 1, with the Hurricanes having five chances.   “They’re a quick team,” Green said. “They’re good in this building.”  Carolina’s relentless nature is something the Senators need to be ready for again.  “They’re deep,” Green said. “They’re good. … Carolina does a real good job of playing their game.”  Carolina’s Logan Stankoven supplied a goal and an assist in the series opener, extending a strong stretch. He had an eight-game points streak to end the regular season.  Three of Stankoven’s four multi-point postseason outings have come with the Hurricanes. His line has been rolling up strong numbers for the past few weeks.  “We have a lot of depth,” Stankoven said. “Since the break, our line has been clicking pretty good. We’ve been able to find each other and I think we’re all hungry to track pucks.”  Now the Hurricanes will look for upgrades on power plays.  “If we look at one area we’re not overly happy with is our power-play chances,” Stankoven said. “Every team as a series goes on makes adjustments.”  Carolina improved to 7-0 in its last seven postseason opening games. The Hurricanes put together some quality stretches in the offensive zone.  “They probably deserved to win analytically, and they did,” Green said.  The Hurricanes have won 12 of 18 all-time best-of-seven series when winning Game 1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Hurricanes #shut #Senators #Game

Deadspin | Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes look to shut down Senators in Game 2
Deadspin | Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes look to shut down Senators in Game 2  Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) looks against the Ottawa Senators during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images   Finding space on the ice is expected to be an ongoing challenge for the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.  So, finding any small edge will be critical when they meet in Game 2 on Monday night at Raleigh, N.C.  “The first round always has all the energy in the world and that’s what you expect,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.  Carolina won 2-0 in the first game Saturday behind Frederik Andersen’s 22-save performance.  Both teams had difficulty finding openings and more of that could be in the works.  “I don’t think this series it’s ever going to look like there’s a ton of space out there,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “It’s going to look very similar every night. I think at the end of every game, both teams are going to feel like there wasn’t space on the ice and I don’t see changing.”  So, it came down to what the goalies could do.  “The goalies had to really shine,” Brind’Amour said.  Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark made 27 saves Saturday, but he fell to 5-11 in career playoff games. He was sharp as well, though Andersen stole the spotlight when it wasn’t clear leading up to the series opener if he would be Brind’Amour’s choice.  He had to decide between Andersen and rookie Brandon Bussi. Andersen got the call.  “He was up to the challenge,” Brind’Amour said. “We have good options and both guys have played well. Clearly, experience, I think won out. … Freddy has a track record and we know what he’s capable of.”  Green said to win on the road in the playoffs the goalie has to play well (and he liked Ullmark’s outing) and a power-play goal or two would be a boost.  The teams combined to go 0-for-9 on power plays in Game 1, with the Hurricanes having five chances.   “They’re a quick team,” Green said. “They’re good in this building.”  Carolina’s relentless nature is something the Senators need to be ready for again.  “They’re deep,” Green said. “They’re good. … Carolina does a real good job of playing their game.”  Carolina’s Logan Stankoven supplied a goal and an assist in the series opener, extending a strong stretch. He had an eight-game points streak to end the regular season.  Three of Stankoven’s four multi-point postseason outings have come with the Hurricanes. His line has been rolling up strong numbers for the past few weeks.  “We have a lot of depth,” Stankoven said. “Since the break, our line has been clicking pretty good. We’ve been able to find each other and I think we’re all hungry to track pucks.”  Now the Hurricanes will look for upgrades on power plays.  “If we look at one area we’re not overly happy with is our power-play chances,” Stankoven said. “Every team as a series goes on makes adjustments.”  Carolina improved to 7-0 in its last seven postseason opening games. The Hurricanes put together some quality stretches in the offensive zone.  “They probably deserved to win analytically, and they did,” Green said.  The Hurricanes have won 12 of 18 all-time best-of-seven series when winning Game 1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Hurricanes #shut #Senators #GameApr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) looks against the Ottawa Senators during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Finding space on the ice is expected to be an ongoing challenge for the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.

So, finding any small edge will be critical when they meet in Game 2 on Monday night at Raleigh, N.C.

“The first round always has all the energy in the world and that’s what you expect,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.

Carolina won 2-0 in the first game Saturday behind Frederik Andersen’s 22-save performance.

Both teams had difficulty finding openings and more of that could be in the works.

“I don’t think this series it’s ever going to look like there’s a ton of space out there,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “It’s going to look very similar every night. I think at the end of every game, both teams are going to feel like there wasn’t space on the ice and I don’t see changing.”

So, it came down to what the goalies could do.

“The goalies had to really shine,” Brind’Amour said.

Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark made 27 saves Saturday, but he fell to 5-11 in career playoff games. He was sharp as well, though Andersen stole the spotlight when it wasn’t clear leading up to the series opener if he would be Brind’Amour’s choice.

He had to decide between Andersen and rookie Brandon Bussi. Andersen got the call.

“He was up to the challenge,” Brind’Amour said. “We have good options and both guys have played well. Clearly, experience, I think won out. … Freddy has a track record and we know what he’s capable of.”

Green said to win on the road in the playoffs the goalie has to play well (and he liked Ullmark’s outing) and a power-play goal or two would be a boost.


The teams combined to go 0-for-9 on power plays in Game 1, with the Hurricanes having five chances.

“They’re a quick team,” Green said. “They’re good in this building.”

Carolina’s relentless nature is something the Senators need to be ready for again.

“They’re deep,” Green said. “They’re good. … Carolina does a real good job of playing their game.”

Carolina’s Logan Stankoven supplied a goal and an assist in the series opener, extending a strong stretch. He had an eight-game points streak to end the regular season.

Three of Stankoven’s four multi-point postseason outings have come with the Hurricanes. His line has been rolling up strong numbers for the past few weeks.

“We have a lot of depth,” Stankoven said. “Since the break, our line has been clicking pretty good. We’ve been able to find each other and I think we’re all hungry to track pucks.”

Now the Hurricanes will look for upgrades on power plays.

“If we look at one area we’re not overly happy with is our power-play chances,” Stankoven said. “Every team as a series goes on makes adjustments.”

Carolina improved to 7-0 in its last seven postseason opening games. The Hurricanes put together some quality stretches in the offensive zone.

“They probably deserved to win analytically, and they did,” Green said.

The Hurricanes have won 12 of 18 all-time best-of-seven series when winning Game 1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Hurricanes #shut #Senators #Game

Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) looks against the Ottawa Senators during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Finding space on the ice is expected to be an ongoing challenge for the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.

So, finding any small edge will be critical when they meet in Game 2 on Monday night at Raleigh, N.C.

“The first round always has all the energy in the world and that’s what you expect,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.

Carolina won 2-0 in the first game Saturday behind Frederik Andersen’s 22-save performance.

Both teams had difficulty finding openings and more of that could be in the works.

“I don’t think this series it’s ever going to look like there’s a ton of space out there,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “It’s going to look very similar every night. I think at the end of every game, both teams are going to feel like there wasn’t space on the ice and I don’t see changing.”

So, it came down to what the goalies could do.

“The goalies had to really shine,” Brind’Amour said.

Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark made 27 saves Saturday, but he fell to 5-11 in career playoff games. He was sharp as well, though Andersen stole the spotlight when it wasn’t clear leading up to the series opener if he would be Brind’Amour’s choice.

He had to decide between Andersen and rookie Brandon Bussi. Andersen got the call.

“He was up to the challenge,” Brind’Amour said. “We have good options and both guys have played well. Clearly, experience, I think won out. … Freddy has a track record and we know what he’s capable of.”

Green said to win on the road in the playoffs the goalie has to play well (and he liked Ullmark’s outing) and a power-play goal or two would be a boost.

The teams combined to go 0-for-9 on power plays in Game 1, with the Hurricanes having five chances.

“They’re a quick team,” Green said. “They’re good in this building.”

Carolina’s relentless nature is something the Senators need to be ready for again.

“They’re deep,” Green said. “They’re good. … Carolina does a real good job of playing their game.”

Carolina’s Logan Stankoven supplied a goal and an assist in the series opener, extending a strong stretch. He had an eight-game points streak to end the regular season.

Three of Stankoven’s four multi-point postseason outings have come with the Hurricanes. His line has been rolling up strong numbers for the past few weeks.

“We have a lot of depth,” Stankoven said. “Since the break, our line has been clicking pretty good. We’ve been able to find each other and I think we’re all hungry to track pucks.”

Now the Hurricanes will look for upgrades on power plays.

“If we look at one area we’re not overly happy with is our power-play chances,” Stankoven said. “Every team as a series goes on makes adjustments.”

Carolina improved to 7-0 in its last seven postseason opening games. The Hurricanes put together some quality stretches in the offensive zone.

“They probably deserved to win analytically, and they did,” Green said.

The Hurricanes have won 12 of 18 all-time best-of-seven series when winning Game 1.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Hurricanes #shut #Senators #Game

#torturous #career #MLB #history">The most torturous career in MLB history  A few months ago I happened to be taking a close look at the 1987-88 Arizona Wildcats men’s hoops team and noticed that while they couldn’t punctuate an exceptional season with a championship, much of their team atoned for that at the next level, with flying colors. But while Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jud Buechler combined to win 13 NBA titles, the theme of coming up agonizingly short never ended for their teammate, Kenny Lofton.A baseball convert who flourished throughout a 17-year big league career, I was aware Lofton had never won a World Series. But when I took a year-by-year magnifying glass to his career and the specific permutation of teams he played for and how their seasons unfolded, it was the type of one-in-a-gazillion story that seemed too bizarre to be true.In a parallel universe, Lofton’s hands are littered with rings. Seemingly every year his team was the odds-on favorite to win it all entering October, and/or his team lost a playoff series in which his opponent was buried with all but the final nail in the coffin before coming back from the dead. Pitch a script of his career to Hollywood, and they’d laugh you out of the room. But that was the reality of the odyssey that was Kenny Lofton’s big league career.  #torturous #career #MLB #history

Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.

Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.

The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.

“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.

“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.

“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.

“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.

ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers

“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.

She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.

“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.

“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.

However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.

As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.

Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.

“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.

ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG

She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.

“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.

“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.

“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.

“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.

However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.

“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.

“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.

The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.

“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games  Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.As reported by        PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWGShe alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told        PTI.Published on Jul 14, 2026  #Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games

Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers

“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.

She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.

“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.

“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.

However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.

As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.

Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.

“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.

ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG

She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.

“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.

“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.

“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.

“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.

However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.

“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.

“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.

The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.

“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games

Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.

Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.

The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.

“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.

“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.

“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.

“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.

ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers

“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.

She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.

“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.

“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.

However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.

As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.

Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.

“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.

ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG

She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.

“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.

“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.

“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.

“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.

However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.

“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.

“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.

The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.

“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games

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