India’s Para-Cycling Champion Arya Vardhan Blocked by Federation Politics Despite Proven Merit
Sports | [OG News Desk] | July 26, 2025
When most five-year-olds learned to run, Arya Vardhan was relearning to walk—after losing his leg above the knee in a tragic accident at just five years old. At eight, he lost his father; later, his mother endured cancer surgery that cost her half her tongue.
Despite these hardships, Arya rose — not just as a survivor, but as a champion:
In 2019, Arya climbed Mount Bhagirathi (18,000 ft), becoming the youngest above-knee amputee in the world to achieve that feat.
In 2024, he claimed two silver medals at the Para Asian Track Cycling Championship in Delhi.
He won gold at the Telangana CM Cup, and in 2025 he earned silver at the National Para Road Cycling Championship.
His leadership and skill culminated in 3 silver and 2 bronze medals at the Lanna Para Cycling Cup 1 in Thailand in early 2025.
🚨 Selected on Merit — Denied by Influence
Despite meeting all criteria, Arya Vardhan was deliberately excluded from the Indian squad for the Para Asian Cycling Championship 2025 in Thailand. According to Arya and fellow para‑cyclists like Sameer and Pawan, the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) — led by Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh — bypassed formal trials. Instead, they directly selected the former Para Chairman’s son (a Special Olympics‑level athlete) by using political influence. That person was sent in Arya’s spot, despite Arya being officially on merit lists.
As a result:
India lost real medal-winning opportunities — Arya alone had the potential for multiple Golds.
Genuine achievements and sacrifices by para-athletes were swept aside for favoritism.
Hard‑earned dreams and years of training — self-funded — were ripped away overnight.
🗣️ Voices Silenced
“I was selected on merit. I had a genuine chance. But I was denied entry not because of performance, but because of politics,” says Arya Vardhan.
He and his peers have formally petitioned the Sports Authority of India, Paralympic Committee of India, and even the Prime Minister’s Office — yet the silence is deafening.
The athletes ask:
Why was Baljit Singh Sekhon, the Joint Secretary responsible for able-bodied games, suspended for missing deadlines — yet no accountability or inquiry into the CFI’s ruthless selection politics?
Why are para-athletes treated as negligent after years of dedicated self-support, while able-bodied athletes get federation banners and official endorsements?
🙏 A National Appeal for Justice
This is not just about individual medals. This is about dignity, equality, and the spirit of sportsmanship.
Arya Vardhan’s plea is clear:
We deserve the same fair shot at glory.
We are not obstacles.
We are champions.
📣 You Can Help
If you stand for fairness in sports, if you believe no para-athlete should be sidelined because of politics—please share Arya’s story.
👉 Tag and raise awareness with:
@PMOIndia | @SportsAuthorityOfIndia | @ParalympicIndia | @CyclingFederationOfIndia | @MediaOutlets
