NEW DELHI: Two days after para coach and five-time Paralympian, Farman Basha, threatened to return his government awards and honours, including the Arjuna, after his coaching contract wasn't renewed, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has decided to recruit Paralympians in the grade of senior coaches on contract basis.
Basha, a veteran para powerlifter, had knocked on the doors of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's (PMO) office to help him get contract extension from SAI after he was told to vacate his official quarters on the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) premises in Bengaluru. His contract had expired on February 28, 2022. Basha will directly benefit from SAI's decision, given his vast coaching experience and nearly three decade-long playing career.
"SAI is in the process of recruiting Paralympians in the grade of senior coach on contract basis. Eligibility for senior coaches (Paralympian) to be recruited under contract: 1) Medal winner in Para-Olympic/Para World Championship or twice Para-Olympic participation with two years coaching experience and 2) Participation in Para-Olympic/International participation (Para) with four years coaching experience. A detailed advertisement will be published on the SAI website shortly," a statement from the sports body read.
Basha told TOI that he would apply for the position once the SAI comes out with the advertisement. "It would have been fair to extend my contract at the earliest since I am engaged in training the Birmingham CWG-bound para powerlifting squad."
