Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik announced her retirement on Monday to hold her post as the President of the Paralympic Committee of India in agreement with the National Sports Code.
An active athlete cannot hold an official post in any federation, according to the National Sports Code.
"For election purpose had already submitted a letter to PCI long back, awaited decisions of High Court to validate new committee and now for affiliation with MYAS making a public declaration of retirement from active sports. Time to serve parasports and support others to achieve," Deepa said.
Deepa was the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games, bagging a silver in shot put at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. She also won the gold in F-53/54 javelin throw at the Para Athletic Grand Prix in Dubai in 2018.
Deepa was honoured the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. she was conferred with Padma Shri Award in 2017 and the Arjuna award in 2012.
While talking to ANI, she said, “I will be submitting my retirement letter later today. To avoid the conflict of interest, and with a heavy heart, I have to take the decision of retirement. If I have to apply for the affiliation of the government, I have to follow the government rules. I want to focus on my duties as the President of the PCI.”
"I have to go by the rules that exist in India. However, if the call of forces come into play, then I might re-think my decision around 2022 Asian Games, I do not know if the sportsperson in me will ever go away, for now, I have to retire, if I have to pursue the post in PCI, then I have to follow the law," she added.
The 49-year-old has 58 national and 23 international medals to her name.
(With inputs from IANS)
