Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the best of luck to all the athletes participating in the ongoing first Khelo India Para Games in Delhi, terming the event a “monumental step towards inclusion and empowerment”.
Khelo India Para Games 2023, the first of its kind, had its grand opening ceremony yesterday, with on-stage performances by athletes.
Following the inauguration ceremony, which was led by Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports, the prime minister yesterday wrote on the social network X: “As the First Khelo India Para Games begin, my best wishes to all those athletes who are taking part. It is a monumental step towards inclusion and empowerment!”
Thakur wrote a similar congratulatory message on X for all stakeholders, especially for the para-athletes, and added: “It is a historic moment for Bharat, as the nation takes another significant step towards a more inclusive and empowered sports ecosystem, while celebrating sports and providing equal opportunities at grassroots to our ‘Divyang’ athletes, without whom the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is incomplete.”
“Divyang” is the word that India now uses in place of the formerly used “viklang”, which means “handicapped”. Divyang literally means “divine body”; it is a term of respect and acknowledgement of abilities, much in the same way that “disabled” has given way to “differently abled”.
Eye on 200 medals by 2030
Speaking in the context of Khelo India Para Games 2023, minister Anurag Thakur said that India could aim for 200 medals in the 2030 Asian Para Games, nearly twice the country’s tally in the recent edition in China.
India won 111 medals, including 29 gold, in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, held in 2023 instead of 2022 due to a COVID-19 surge in China. The 2026 edition of Asian Para Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.
“If we can win 111 medals in 2022 Asian Para Games, I think we can achieve the aim of crossing 200 medals on 2030 Asian Para Games,” Thakur said while inaugurating the Games.
“The inaugural Khelo India Para Games is setting the ball rolling for a new movement in the sports ecosystem of the country…. Khelo India Para Games signifies a New India,” added the sports minister.
276 gold medals to be won in 7 disciplines
More than 1,400 para-athletes from 32 states and Union Territories and Services Sports Board are participating in these Games, which are being held at three venues — Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium; Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium; and Karni Singh Shooting Range — between December 10 and 17.
Competitions are being held in seven para-sports — athletics, shooting, archery, football, badminton, table tennis, and weightlifting — with 276 gold medals to be won.
Some of India’s top international para-athletes like Sheetal Devi, Bhavina Patel, and Pramod Bhagat, among others, are participating in these Games.
Thakur said that the increase in the sports budget also played a big part in India’s rising medal tally. “The sports budget has been increased three-fold if we compare the 2014 budget with the current one. We have been able to achieve success at the international sporting arena because of this,” he said.
Sharing images from the opening ceremony on X, Nisith Pramanik, Minister of State (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports), wrote: “Glimpses of the Opening Ceremony of Khelo India Para Games 2023. This is a revolutionary beginning for our para-athletes. Our para-athletes are an inspiration for all of us. They will bring glory to Indian sports on [the] global stage like they always have.”
—With inputs from CtoI News Desk
