200 Para-Athletes get inducted to SAI NCoEs

By
Teja Devathoti
-
19

Aimed at promoting inclusivity and providing specialized training to para-athletes in the country, the government has decided to induct 200 such athletes, including 97 women, across 10 disciplines in the SAI National Centres of Excellence, Sports Anurag Singh Thakur announced on Tuesday.

SAI inducts 200 para-athletes to transform country’s sporting culture

Speaking about the revolutionary initiative, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, “This step to induct 200 para-sport athletes reflects the Government’s steadfast commitment towards promoting inclusivity and excellence in Para Sports,” he said. “I am confident that these athletes will continue to contribute to the making of Bharat as a sporting powerhouse.”

Anurag Thakur also lauded the efforts of NCoEs for their continuous good work in training the athletes, and this move will help them to provide specialized training to the para-athletes.

He went on to highlight the recent success of the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi, which paved the path to this significant step towards providing equal opportunities for all athletes.

“We have now included sports such as Cycling, Fencing, Judo, Canoeing and Kayaking, Rowing and Taekwondo. The NCOEs will have expert coaches and be equipped with enhanced facilities. This initiative of inducting 200 Para Sports athletes in NCOEs will give further momentum to the evolution of para-sports within the sports ecosystem,” he said.

Indian para-athletes contributed significantly at the Paralympic Games and Asian Para Games. The Indian athletes won 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze, in the Tokyo Paralympic Games while at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games last year, the country won 111 medals, including 29 gold.

The break-up of the 200 para-sports athletes across disciplines in NCOEs: Archery 68 (35 males, 33 females), Athletics 36 (18, 18), Cycling 20 (10, 10), Fencing 8 (5, 3), Judo 14 (7, 7), Para Powerlifting 10 (5, 5), Canoeing & Kayaking and Rowing 6 (4, 2), Shooting 20 (10, 10) and Taekwondo 18 (9, 9).

Also Read: Deepika Kumari returns with a storm and targets Paris next