India had won 19 medals including five gold at the Tokyo Paralympics. The 2024 Paris Paralympics starts on August 28 and commences on September 8.
Kolkata: In a major boost to the para athletes ahead of the 2024 Paralympics, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) signed a three-year deal with a Kolkata-based private company on Monday. The deal will help the PCI to support its athletes better and make a difference in India’s groundbreaking effort in Paris. The Paris Paralympics starts on August 28 August and will commence on September 8. This is the first time Paris is hosting the Paralympics and second time that France will host the Paralympic Games.
Unlike previous years, performances of the Indian para athletes have improved vastly in the last few years and 111 medals at the Asian Games last year is a testimony of that. The partnership will not only motivate the para athletes but also strive them to win more medals at the Paris Games, which is five months away. India have won five gold, eight silver and six bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Through this partnership, both the parties will be able to enhance the support structure available to Paralympians in India and also contribute to raising awareness and recognition for Paralympic sports in the country. Moreover, the initiative will lead to the establishment of a revamped ecosystem of training academies, designed specifically to cater to the needs of athletes with disabilities.
It will also benefit the Paralympic athletes by offering them improved support and resources in several key areas like infrastructure development, exposure trips and training camps.
“When I competed in 2004 there was very little support for the Paralympics. It gives me great joy to see things have changed. This partnership will go a long way to helping us do our best in Paris and I am confident the Paris Paralympics will be a watershed in the history of Indian sport. On behalf of the athletes, I thank Shrachi Sports Ventures for the support and the commitment shown to the cause,” Jhajharia said on Monday.
“It has always been a deep desire to see my country do well in the Paralympics. It is an index of what we stand for as a society. We need to treat our para athletes just as we do our able bodied athletes and give them the very same support and respect. Our support is a small effort in helping them better prepare for Paris and beyond,” Shrachi Group’s MD Rahul Todi said. So far, around 20 para athletes from India have booked their places at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.