NEW DELHI: Para-cyclist Shaik Arshad suffered multiple fractures to his previously operated left residual limb after a fall during the men’s time trial at the Asian Para Games in Japan on Wednesday, raising questions over the absence of dedicated medical support for the Indian team.
Sources told TOI that Arshad, a 2024 Paralympian, crashed in heavy rain at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka, sustaining serious injuries to the above-knee amputated limb on which he relies to use his prosthesis. He requires urgent medical attention and surgery, with concerns over the implications for his future mobility.
The cycling venue is more than 250 km from Nagoya. Sources said officials had initially asked Arshad and his support staff to travel to Nagoya for hospital admission. Following prolonged discussions, officials agreed to visit the competition venue, where the injured cyclist needed immediate attention.
The incident has also raised questions about assurances regarding medical arrangements for the Indian para-cycling contingent. Sources said that at a meeting on Sept 8 at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) office here, involving Arshad’s coach Aditya Verma and SAI officials from the Teams division, with Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) officials participating through phone calls, assurances were apparently given that medical personnel would accompany the team.
However, no dedicated medical personnel were available to attend to Arshad at the venue when the accident occurred, sources alleged. Arshad’s coach is now exploring options to travel urgently from Hyderabad to Japan and is arranging a visa to be by the athlete’s side.
The injury is particularly serious because it involves Arshad’s residual limb, which is crucial for fitting and using his artificial leg. The extent of the fractures and the treatment required will determine the impact on his recovery and mobility.
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