Sakina Khatun could be granted a late place at Gold Coast 2018 ©CGF

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has said they will explore the possibility of a late Gold Coast 2018 call-up for Indian powerlifter Sakina Khatun, who has allegedly threatened to kill herself if she is not selected.

It follows a letter being sent to the CGF from Rajeev Mehta, the secretary general of the Indian Commonwealth Games Association, over the omission of Khatun.

According to the CGF, India had only submitted the names of male powerlifters for the Games in Australia but they are now reviewing the situation following the reports of possible self-harm.

News Agency ANI quotes Khatun, a Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in the women's 61 kilograms, as saying that she "will fight until the last".

"If then my name is not included, then I will move to court because they have spoiled my life," the 28-year-old reportedly said.

"I will not leave it, even If I have to commit suicide in front of the Indian Olympic Association."

Khatun was diagnosed with polio when she was one and has reportedly pleaded her case to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India has insisted that she does meet eligibility criteria with her omission from the list sent to the CGF seemingly a clerical error.

"The Commonwealth Games Federation has received a letter sent by the secretary general of the Indian Commonwealth Games Association, Mr. Rajeev Mehta, expressing concern over India's athlete allocation in the sport of Para-powerlifting at Gold Coast 2018, and more specifically, the omission of Indian female Para-powerlifter, Ms. Sakina Khatun," said CGF chief executive David Grevemberg.

"Under the CGF Para-Powerlifting athlete allocation system for Gold Coast 2018, a Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) is required to nominate those athletes they wish to be considered for the Games. 

David Grevemberg said a late-call up would be reviewed ©Getty Images
David Grevemberg said a late-call up would be reviewed ©Getty Images

"In coordination with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the CGF reviews the nominations against pre-determined qualification criteria, and subsequently determines which of those athletes are eligible for the Games.

"The CGA is then required to accept the athlete places within a required time-frame.

"With regards to the Indian CGA's nominations for Gold Coast 2018, the CGF and IPC only received the names of four male athletes for consideration in the men's Para-powerlifting competition. 

"The CGF did not receive any female Para-powerlifting nominations from the Indian CGA, nor did the CGF receive any queries or concerns from the Indian CGA at the time that we communicated the names of the four male Indian athletes we had determined were eligible for the Games. 

"For absolute clarification, the Indian CGA did not follow due process as outlined in the CGF Para-powerlifting athlete allocation system, as it failed to nominate any athletes for the women's Para-powerlifting competition at Gold Coast 2018, including Ms. Khatun. 

"The CGF has noted the Indian CGA's administrative error. 

"However, acknowledging the wellbeing of Ms. Khatun, and the Federation's commitment to the development of Para-sport and gender equality, the CGF will review the Indian CGA's late request for a reallocation slot, should an opportunity to grant an additional slot become available.

"As it relates to the severity of Ms. Khatun's public response to her non-selection by CGA India, and her alleged position to conduct self-harm if the matter is not addressed, the CGF has requested written clarification from the Indian CGA and the Indian National Paralympic Committee regarding the steps both organisations have taken to support the welfare of the athlete."