One of India’s greatest athletes in the Para Games who won three Olympic medals in three different editions, Devendra Jhajharia, is all set to be elected as the new President of the Paralympic Committee of India(PCI) in the delayed March 9 elections,  succeeding another celebrated para-athlete Deepa Malik.

Devendra Jhajharia is one of the respected athletes, not only in the Para community but also in Indian Sports. He is the only para-athlete to be conferred with Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. Jhajharia also won many awards like Khel Ratna, Arujna and Pamashri for his valiant contributions on the global stage.

The 42-year-old Jhajharia had won a gold medal each in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics in the F46 disability category. The javelin thrower also won a silver in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.

Jhajharia won the world championships gold in 2013 and a silver in 2015 (both F46 category) as well as a silver in the Asian Para Games in 2014.

Devendra Jhajharia to be the new president of the PCI

Earlier the PCI was suspended by the Sports Ministry for not holding the elections on time, in contravention of the National Sports Code. Though the World body International Paralympic Committee (IPC) recognised the Indian body despite a suspension, all the activities were put to a halt, stranding the para-athletes.

Fortunately, the PCI has been able to advance its elections, after parlays with the Sports Ministry. Otherwise, the elections were slated for the third week of March.

Jhajhari filed his nomination papers on Wednesday for the president’s post in the March 9 elections of the national body. Outgoing president Deepa Malik was eligible to contest for the top post but she decided to fight against Jhajharia and is instead supporting him.

The PCI elections will be held for the posts of president, two vice presidents, secretary general, treasurer, two joint secretaries and five executive committee members.

Speaking about taking up the new role, Jhajharia said, “I filed my nomination on Wednesday and am hopeful people will vote for me,” said Jhajharia. “There are 30 state units and each one has promised support to me. I feel honoured I can now serve the Para athletes and the cause of Para athletes in India.”

Jhajharia also hailed athlete’s recent success at the Asian Games and is confident for best finish at the Paralympics.

“Indian sport is in good health and the athletes are working so hard,” he said. “We saw at the last Asian Games how India did so well, including a record haul from the Para athletes. I am very confident in Paris as well there will be more medals. The Paralympics in Paris will also see more medals coming in as there has been such a massive change in terms of support for us.”

Returning officer Umesh Sinha will scrutinize the nomination papers on Friday and if everything is in order, Jhajharia will be elected for the top post.

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