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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) is all set to host the first-ever Khelo India Para Games, a historic and inclusive sporting event that will showcase the talent and spirit of para athletes from across the country. The event, which will take place from December 10 to December 15, 2023, will feature over 1,350 para athletes, competing in seven disciplines at three SAI stadiums in Delhi.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has praised the MYAS for organising the Khelo India Para Games, which is a manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for an inclusive sports ecosystem. Deepa Malik, the president of PCI and a renowned para athlete herself, said that the event will provide a platform for the para athletes to showcase their skills and abilities, and also inspire the next generation of para sportspersons.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also launched a hashtag campaign, #Praise4Para, to highlight the remarkable achievements of para athletes and celebrate their joy of participation despite challenges. The campaign aims to create awareness and appreciation for the para sports and the para athletes, who have overcome various barriers and obstacles to pursue their passion and dreams.
The Khelo India Para Games will witness the participation of 442 women and 885 men from various states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh. The games will cover seven disciplines, namely para athletics, para shooting, para archery, para football, para badminton, para table tennis, and para weightlifting. The games will take place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the Shooting Range in Tughlaqabad, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The event will also feature some of the renowned para athletes who have recently represented India at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, such as Devendra Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Avani Lekhara, Pramod Bhagat, and Manish Narwal. These para stars are expected to represent their respective states in the Khelo India Para Games, and also mentor and motivate the budding para athletes.
The Khelo India Para Games is a landmark initiative by the government to promote and support para sports in India, and to create a more inclusive and accessible sports ecosystem. The event reflects the government’s commitment to “sab ka saath sab ka vikas”, ensuring that no policy leaves behind the disabled individuals. The event also aims to foster a culture of sportsmanship, excellence, and inclusion among the para athletes and the society at large.
