The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, revealed plans for the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, marking a significant initiative aimed at recognizing and nurturing emerging para athletes. Set to take place in New Delhi from December 10th to 17th, the event aims to provide a platform for young and aspiring para athletes to showcase their talents.
In a video message, Minister Thakur proudly announced the forthcoming Khelo India Para Games, scheduled across three Sports Authority of India (SAI) Stadiums in New Delhi, covering seven sporting disciplines. He emphasized that this milestone event is a pivotal step toward fostering para sports development in India. The Games will serve as a catalyst in identifying and nurturing talented para athletes, extending them ample support from SAI and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to further refine their skills.
Minister Thakur highlighted the significant impact of the Khelo India Scheme on Indian sports. With a track record of organizing 11 Khelo India Games since 2018, encompassing five Khelo India Youth Games, three Khelo India University Games, and three Khelo India Winter Games, the scheme has been instrumental in unearthing nearly 1000 gifted athletes. Many of these identified talents have showcased their prowess in international events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games.
Expressing his best wishes to the para athletes gearing up for the upcoming Games, Minister Thakur underscored the enormous potential of the event. Over 1350 participants from 32 states and union territories, including the Services Sports Control Board, are anticipated to partake in the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, competing across disciplines like para athletics, para shooting, para archery, para football, para badminton, para table tennis, and para weightlifting. These events will unfold across three SAI stadiums located at the IG Stadium, Shooting Range in Tughlaqabad, and the JLN Stadium.
Acknowledging the remarkable achievements of Indian para athletes at the recent Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where they clinched a historic 111 medals, Minister Thakur emphasized the importance of providing consistent support to para athletes through such annual events.
Highlighting the continuity of the Para Games as a significant agenda, he outlined the vision to bolster Paralympic sports development, aligning with the aspirations of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Minister Thakur reiterated the government’s commitment to nurturing talent through platforms like the Khelo India Games, which have played a pivotal role in identifying and honing the nation’s sporting talent since their inception in 2018.