New Delhi, November 25: The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appreciated the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) for the initiative to host the first Khelo India Para Games. Deepa Malik, President of PCI and the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal in shot put, expressed her enthusiasm and appreciation for the government’s approach in creating an inclusive sports ecosystem.
The ‘Prize4Para’ hashtag campaign, launched by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) ahead of the Khelo India Para Games, highlights the remarkable rise in performance of Para athletes at various national and international events. It also celebrates the spirit of participation despite challenges.
Speaking as a para athlete and an administrator, Malik lauded the inclusive sports ecosystem under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He thanked MYAS and SAI for working with PCI to create a platform where hundreds of para athletes can compete under the banner of Khelo India.
The first edition of the Khelo India Para Games is expected to feature over 1,350 para athletes in New Delhi in December. Haryana will have the largest contingent with 242 para athletes, followed by Rajasthan with 140 and Uttar Pradesh with 125 para athletes. Gujarat, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh will also be well represented.
Notably, 442 women and 885 men will participate in seven disciplines, which include Para Athletics, Para Shooting, Para Archery, Para Football, Para Badminton, Para Table Tennis and Para Weightlifting. The events will be held across three SAI stadiums in Delhi – IG Stadium, Shooting Range in Tughlakabad and JLN Stadium.
Athletes who have excelled in the recent Hangzhou Asian Para Games, such as Sheetal Devi, Bhavana Patel, Ekta Bhayan, Neeraj Yadav, Singhraj, Manish, Sonal, Rakesh Kumar, Sarita and others.