Remember para-powerlifter Sakina Khatun, who threatened to kill herself if not chosen for the 2018 Commonwealth Games? Sakina will now compete in the women's lightweight Para Powerlifting event of the games, ANI reported. The tournament will be held in Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4.
Despite winning silver in the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, the Commonwealth squad didn't include Sakina's name initially
She recently scripted history after winning the silver medal at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai in the Women's 45 kg category. Despite this, her name did not figure in the squad initially. Sakina suffers from polio which she contracted when she was one-and-a-half-years old.
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The bronze medallist in lightweight category in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games had threatened to commit suicide. She announced plans for the drastic step when left out from the CWG squad. Till date, no athlete has broken her Glasgow record.
Despite being marked as failed by the Commonwealth Games Federation, the 28-year-old has secured a berth in the Indian contingent for the Games
After Sakina's selection in the Commonwealth squad, CEO of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Group Captain Shahrukh Shamshad, thanked Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta in a letter. "PCI is thankful to CGF and IPC for awarding a conditional slot to Sakina Khatun in women's lightweight Para Powerliting event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. PCI confirms and accepts that it will get the necessary medical done of Sakina Khatun by a recognised Medical Professional and shall submit the necessary documents to IOA by 28th February 2018," Shamshad wrote.
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The PCI CEO said, "It appears that the name of Sakina Khatun has been inadvertently missed out in the list of names of Powerlifters forwarded to the IOA by PCI. PCI is also thankful to IOA for putting as best effort in ensuring the entry of Ms. Saltine Khatun for 2018 CWG."
"I am still waiting for my name to feature in the list. I will fight till the last and if then also my name is not included, then I will move court because they have spoiled my life. I will not leave it, even If I have to commit suicide in front of IOA," Sakina had told ANI
In her letter to PM Modi, Sakina sought a berth in the games. She mentioned how important it is for her to win another medal for the country.
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