A New and Improved Era For Para-Sports in the Country

Sandeep, Sundar and Shatabdi are part of the Indian contingent that will take part in the Jakarta Asian Para Games.

Sundar Gurjar (left), Shatabdi Avasthi (centre) and Sandeep Mann (right) at an event in New Delhi on 26 September 2018.

(Photo: Sumit Josh/The Quint)

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
Camera: Sumit Badola

India’s successful outing at the Paralympics in Rio in 2016 brought a sea change in the para-sport infrastructure in the country. India finished with four medals, which included two gold medals, one silver and a bronze. Mariyappan Thangavelu (high jump) and Devendra Jhajharia (javelin throw) were awarded gold for India.

Two years after Rio 2016, para-athletes in India are already reaping benefits in the form of adequate support from the government and the federation. The facelift has been so significant that these athletes have not only been included TOP scheme but are being given monetary support at par with able-bodied athletes, which wasn’t the case earlier.

According to Sandeep Singh Mann, who won three medals at the previous edition of the Asian Para Games in Incheon in 2014, governments and even corporates have started coming forward with sponsorship programmes for para-athletes in the country.

After the 2016 Paralympics, we’ve been getting all kinds of support from the government and federation. Even sponsors are coming forward now.

Sandeep Mann

The improved facilities are not only restricted to funding and sponsorship.

“We are also now part of the TOPS scheme. Along with able-bodied athletes, we are being sent abroad for training now,” said Sundar Gurjar, who surpassed the world record of javelin throw with a throw of 65.20m this February.

Shatabdi Avasthi, a national-level para-athlete who will be competing at the Jakarta Asian para-Games this year in October in the shot put category, says that the current sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore is main reason for the change – which isn’t only restricted to camps and training.

Most para athletes are not well educated. So, the federation makes sure they participate in international competitions. They also care for their licensing and other official procedures.

Shatabdi Avasthi

Shatabdi believes all these support leads to a positive pressure, which help these athletes to live up to the expectation.

Now, even the cash awards for para athletes are at par with able-bodied athletes. During the 2014 Asian Games, we got the same amount of cash reward both from the Centre and the state.

Shatabdi Avasthi

With all the good work being done in this field, still there is room for improvement as pointed out by Sundar.

I want to request the government that just like there are SAI hostels in every state for able-bodied athletes, para athletes get such hostels too. These hostels will help para athletes at the grassroot level with better training facilities, which will improve their performance.

Sundar Gurjar

Sandeep, Sundar and Shatabdi, who are supported by Cairn under their Project Divyang, are part of the Indian contingent that will take part in the Jakarta Asian Para Games from October 6.

Sandeep will be competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m categories while Shatabdi will be seen in action in the shot put event. Sundar, who is one of the favourites to win his event, will take part in javelin throw.