Para-badminton shuttler Prema Vishwas seeks PM Modi’s intervention over Asian Para Games entry

India’s international para-badminton shuttler Prema Vishwas has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention, alleging that her official entry for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games was deliberately delayed, resulting in its rejection.

The WH1 category athlete raised questions over the selection process in a social media post, noting that she has an Asian Singles Ranking of 8 and is ranked among the top six in Women’s Doubles. She alleged that players ranked lower than her were included in the squad while her entry was not initially submitted.

“My Singles Asian Ranking is 8, and I am in the Top 6 in Women’s Doubles. Yet my entry for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games was not sent initially,” Prema wrote. She alleged that when her entry was eventually submitted, it was delayed to the point that it was no longer accepted.

Prema, who is from Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar, questioned why entries for players ranked as low as 11 in Singles were processed while hers was left out despite her higher ranking.

She also spoke about her financial difficulties, saying she comes from a poor family, lost her father, has no job, and does not have permanent sponsorship. She said she had reached the international level with support from others and by training under difficult circumstances.

Calling the Games the “first and perhaps the last Asian Para Games” of her career, Prema said she did not have the financial backing to continue competing for years and rebuild her ranking.

She urged the government to take swift action under applicable sports guidelines, saying she was seeking justice rather than a favour and wanted an opportunity to represent India.

Prema won two bronze medals at the Egypt Para-Badminton International 2025, which was part of the Para-Asian Games selection rankings.