India's international para-badminton player Prema Vishwas has issued a public appeal alleging that her entry for the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games was deliberately delayed by officials, ultimately leading to its rejection. The WH1 category athlete, who hails from Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that the administrative lapse is corrected under applicable sports guidelines.

The Allegation

Prema, who holds an Asian Singles Ranking of 8 and a Top 6 rank in Women's Doubles, has alleged that lower-ranked players were included in the squad while her entry was initially not submitted at all. When it was eventually sent, she says, the delay rendered it ineligible for acceptance by the organising body.

“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 in a social media post. “When it was finally sent, it was delayed for so long that it is no longer being accepted. What is my fault in this?”

Disparity in Selection Process

Prema pointed out a stark inconsistency: entries were successfully processed for shuttlers ranked as low as 11 in the Singles category, while her own application — backed by a superior ranking — was overlooked. “When entries were submitted for players ranked up to 11 in Singles, why was mine left out despite my Singles Rank 8 and Women’s Doubles Top 6 status? Why should I suffer the loss of my years of hard work and ranking?” she asked.

The allegation raises broader questions about transparency and accountability in the para-sports selection mechanism in India, where athletes often have limited recourse when administrative decisions go against them.

Personal and Financial Struggles

Prema also detailed the personal hardships underpinning her appeal. She shared that she comes from an underprivileged background, has lost her father, and currently has no regular employment or long-term sponsorship. “I come from a very poor family. I lost my father, I have no job, and I do not have any permanent sponsor. I have reached this level by seeking help from people, training under extremely difficult circumstances, and representing my country,” she wrote.

She described the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games as potentially the first and last such event of her career given her financial constraints, adding that she cannot afford to rebuild her ranking over several more years without institutional support.

Track Record and Tournament Credentials

Prema's appeal is not without competitive backing. She clinched two bronze medals at the Egypt Para-Badminton International 2025, a tournament that formed part of the Para-Asian Games selection rankings — underscoring that her current standing is the result of documented international performance, not merely domestic competition.

The Appeal to the Prime Minister

Addressing Prime Minister Modi directly, Prema framed her request as a matter of procedural justice rather than special treatment. “Prime Minister Sir, I am not asking for any favours; I am simply asking for justice. All I ask for is one opportunity to play for my nation,” she wrote. No official response from the government, the Paralympic Committee of India, or the Badminton Association of India has been reported as of yet. With the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games approaching, the window for a resolution is narrowing rapidly.