Why are we treated like this?

Dear friends,

Filthy toilets, no running water, unhygienic food and no ramps!That's how pathetic living conditions were for us at a recent national paralympic meet. But in 24 hours, the main organisers are meeting in Bangalore to discuss this fiasco and if we act now to demand tough action, we can ensure our athletes never have to suffer such conditions again. Act now:

I'm a blind gold-medallist runner for India. I competed at the recent paralympics meet in Ghaziabad and personally experienced the shocking living conditions -- filthy toilets, unhygienic food and no ramps!!Paralympians like me have fought this for years but the only thing that will ensure change, is if you stand with us to demand dignity.

The media attention has given me a ray of hope and in 24 hours, we can push for action -- because the main organisers, the Paralympics Committee of India are meeting in Bangalore to discuss their recent debacle.

If no one pays attention to their meeting, nothing will happen and we'll lose another chance to improve our Paralympics. So let's get thousands of us demanding a fair, time-bound probe with a public report right now.

Please help me get over 30,000 signatures by tomorrow and show the Paralympics sports organisers that athletes have the backing of ordinary people. They can't get away with such shoddy games anymore. Act now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/paralympics_fiasco_saheb_hossain_do/?bWUthib&v=56388

When I started going blind, I decided to become a runner because I wanted to achieve something in my life. My friends and even my dad used to say that no good would come out of running. But I disagreed -- it's given my life meaning andI feel so proud when I win medals for my state and my country. What upsets me though is the attitude of the government and the people managing paralympic sports in India. They show no sensitivity and offer very little support to paralympians, many of whom come from very poor families.

Despite being in no position to host the 15th National Para-Athletics, the Paralympic Committee of India still went ahead with the games in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. Now they are blaming the government for lack of funds and five members of the Executive Committee have been sacked. I've watched this drama for years -- but what finally gives me hope is the massive public outcry after the media exposed the squalid conditions.

There is still no official report or even a deadline to produce one, on this whole fiasco. That's why our pressure is needed. If we push the Paralympic Committee to conduct a time-bound probe and submit a public report, we can ensure that our athletes never have to put up with this terrible treatment again.

Let's get to 30,000 signatures by Saturday before the Paralympic Committee meeting. Act now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/paralympics_fiasco_saheb_hossain_do/?bWUthib&v=56388

The Avaaz community has come together to champion the rights of the weak against the strong. Let's do it again in India for the rights of athletes who have made such a huge contribution to the country and yet who are not getting the respect we deserve.
 
With hope and determination,
Saheb Hossain with the Avaaz team

More information:

Paralympic Committee of India constitutes enquiry committee (Times of India):
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Paralympic-Committee-of-India-consti...

Five members suspended from Paralympic Committee of India (Firstpost):
http://www.firstpost.com/sports/national-para-athletics-controversy-five-members-suspended-paralympi...

No ramps, dirty toilets: Paralympic meet nightmare for differently-abled athletes (NDTV):
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-ramps-dirty-toilets-paralympic-meet-nightmare-for-differently-able...

Discriminated and ignored: The sad story of India's paralympians (Firstpost):
http://www.firstpost.com/sports/discriminated-and-ignored-the-sad-story-of-indias-paralympians-20534...