August 6, 2019
Selection of players for the Special Olympics International Football
Championship in Chennai has been marred by allegations of corruption after a
parent of a disabled child accused the selection committee of unfair
practices. The parent, Ranjani Chandrasegar, has moved court seeking
justice.
For the second time in a row, the selection process for the Special
Olympics has been hit by allegations of unfair selection process.
Last year, in 2018, many parents had accused senior officials in the state
organisation of taking money.
This time too, many parents have alleged that not all of them were informed
that trials were on and that there was favouritism involved. As a result,
only some children got selected for the Special Olympics
International Football Championship.
The Special Olympics are held every two years to showcase the talents of
children with intellectual disabilities. The state-run organisation is
responsible for identifying talented players from across the district.
However, this alleges Chennai parent Ranjani Chandrasegar is
not taking place. She has moved the Madras High Court asking
that the international event be cancelled until the selection process is
looked into and clear guidelines are set for the selection process.
The Tamil Nadu state level football selections have not been conducted and
most children did not get the chance to showcase their potential and
ability that could have led them to become a part of the Special Olympics
team. They select and train the athlete candidates whose parents pay or for
undue favouritism, whereby special sort of preference of selection is given
to their wards while leaving deserving candidates in dark. –
Ranjani Chandrasegar, Petitioner
The petition also accused key officials of misusing funds. These officials
are the State commissioner for Persons with
DisabilitiesJ Paul Devasagayam, who is also
Area Director Special Olympics Bharat – Tamil Nadu and
M S Johan Nagarajan, Senior Sports Manager, Special Olympics Asia
Pacific, Chennai. The court had asked both officials to be present
for the next hearing. Last year Dewasakayam who was accused by parents last
year of asking for money to select players.
The High Court turned down Ranjani’s plea to cancel the championship on the
grounds that it is an international- level event. However, it said that three
players with intellectual disabilities be allowed to participate in the event
that is taking place from 3 to 7 August.. The three players are
Dinesh Kumar, Prem Shankar and Kevin George
.
The court has now ordered that an enquiry be held into the selection trials
by a senior official and that the report be submitted by 20 August.
