Category: ParaSports

by Abhishek Shukla

Special Olympics Bharat organises grand send-off ceremony for Indian contingent ahead of Unified Football Tournament 2024 Dhaka

New Delhi, 15th April, 2024: Special Olympics Bharat on Monday organised a grand send-off ceremony for their Indian contingent that will be travelling to Dhaka for the Special Olympics South Asia 7-a-side Unified Football Tournament 2024. The event is scheduled to take place in Dhaka from 16th-20th April 2024.

The ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour Dr. Taranjeet, and Dean of MRIIRS, Dr.NC Wadhwa, IAS (Retd.). Mr. Virender Kumar Mahendru, Executive Director, Special Olympics Bharat also addressed the audience. Much to the delight of the audience in attendance, two exhibition matches of both men’s and women’s teams were also organised to give a glimpse of the talent of Indian athletes. Manav Rachna students also participated in the matches.


Two teams from India will be participating in the tournament- one each of boys and girls. The team consists of 11 athletes and unified partners in each, along with five coaches, representing eight states (Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi).

The event will witness participation from nine unified football teams representing five countries – Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, and Hong Kong. The matches will be held at Bashundhara Kings Sports Arena Stadium, Bashundhara, Dhaka.

The final preparation camp for the Special Olympics Bharat teams took place between 10th April to 16th April at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, Haryana. Renowned for hosting numerous camps in the past, Manav Rachna University offers a holistic training experience to the athletes and coaches. In addition to football practice sessions, the camp had sessions on nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, and meditation, extending a multi-dimensional experience to the athletes and coaches ahead of their departure to Dhaka.

A productive session on psychology was also conducted which aimed at relieving body stress and fostering a connection with the mind. Led by Dr. Garima Kumar and Ms. Anoma Modak, faculties in the Department of Applied Psychology, along with Mr. Ayush and Ms. Anshika, students, the session encouraged expressive and free body movements, concluding with some relaxation exercises.

Offering words of motivation to the Indian contingent, Special Olympics Bharat Chairperson Dr Mallika Nadda said, “The 7-a-side Unified Football tournament in Dhaka is another opportunity to draw attention to the outstanding power of Unified Sports in combining people from different backgrounds and abilities, on and off the sports field. In view of the practises and a rigorous schedule followed by the Trainers, Coaches and the teammates, I have no doubt that our teams will place their best foot forward. Manav Rachna University, Faridabad has hosted several of our national level camps including this one which has been very crucial in completing the preparation suitably. Events such as this also journeys us through some overwhelming partnerships that help us strengthen our initiatives on promoting inclusion through sports. The energy and bonding that has emerged within the team is striking and I wish luck to all the participating teams, to once again show their thriving abilities to the world.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian shuttler Arati Patil qualifies for Para Badminton World Championships 2024

Pune, February 3, 2024: Rising Indian shuttler Arati Patil, who is supported by the Punit Balan Group (PBG), has confirmed her berth at the upcoming BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024, to be held in Pattaya, Thailand from February 20 to 25.

The 23-year-old Kolhapur resident is currently ranked 13 in the women’s singles (Standing/upper limb impairment) SU5 world rankings.

The Khelo India gold medallist Arati won a mixed doubles silver medal at the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games and has accumulated seven bronze medals in women’s singles and doubles events at various international para-badminton competitions.

“The Punit Balan Group has always believed that by investing in the dreams of athletes, we contribute to the larger narrative of India’s sporting success. Arati Patil is an exceptional talent. We are delighted to fuel her aspirations as she competes on the world stage. I am confident that she will bring laurels to the country at the World Championships. I wish her all the best,” commented Punit Balan, Chairman & Managing Director, PBG.

Arati has previously competed at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships in 2019.

“I’m thrilled to be qualified for the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024. With the financial burden lifted off my mind, it allows me to fully focus on my game. I am truly grateful for the remarkable support from Punit sir and the Punit Balan Group. The backing has opened doors to top-tier coaching, and advanced training facilities, which will help me to achieve all the goals I have set for myself,” said Arati.

In a significant stride towards nurturing homegrown talent, the PBG has been offering financial backing to Arati for the next three years totaling INR 33 lakh. This support has also reinforced Arati’s preparations for the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Having invested in nine sporting leagues and endorsing nearly 60 budding Indian sports talents, PBG has been at the forefront of supporting sports initiatives across the nation and globally.

by Abhishek Shukla

Odisha’s athletes and para-athletes recognised with cash awards for their remarkable performances in December 2023

Bhubaneswar, 05 January 2024: Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Hon’ble Minister, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha today feliciated and presented cash awards to various athletes from the state for their remarkable performances in December 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium. Also present at the occasion were Sports Director, Shri Siddhartha Das and officials of DSYS to congratulate and encourage the athletes.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Sports Minister, Shri Tusharkanti Behera said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes of Odisha for their remarkable performances and achievements in December 2023. This is our continued effort towards recognizing and incentivizing talented athletes for their performances. I’m sure this will motivate them to better their performances and they have our support throughout their sporting journey.”

Odisha’s Kayaking and Canoeing team, who were the overall champions of the 34th National Canoe Sprint Championship (Senior Men and Women) 2023 held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in December 2023, were felicitated by the Hon’ble Sports Minister. The were 18 different medallists in the contingent, who won a total of 66 medals at the National Championship held in December 2023.  

Sachima Kerkata, Rashmita Sahoo and Moirangthem Sophia Devi were awarded with Rs 90,000 for their multiple medal wins. Sachima won four Gold and three Silver, Rashimta won four Gold, two Silver and a Bronze, while Sophia won three Gold and two Silver medals.

Oinam Bidya Devi (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) and Fulmani Xaxa (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) received Rs 55,000. Avinash Singham, who won two Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 50,000, while Salam Kishan Singh (4 Silver medals), Sagar Kumar (3 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal) and Ahongshangbam Naobi Singh (1 Gold medal, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze) received Rs 40,000 each, while Pukhrambam Roji Devi (1 Gold and 2 Silver) and Sruti Chowgule (1 Gold and 2 Silver) were presented with Rs 35,000 each.

Phairembam Borish Singh who returned with three medals – Gold, Silver and Bronze – received Rs 30,000, while Thongam Monocha Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver), Salam Arshi Devi (1 Gold and 1 Silver) and Laishram Borish Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver) received Rs 25,000 each. Madhusmita Nayak, who won a Gold received Rs, 15,000, while Elin Alrica Toppo (Silver) and Moirangthem Jabez Meitei (2 Bronze medals) received Rs 10,000 each.

Meanwhile, para-athletes who won medals and took part in the recently concluded World Ability Sports 2023 (previously known as IWAS World Games) in Thailand were also felicitated and awarded cash prizes on the occasion.

Suchitra Parida (Para-athletics), who attained a Gold and a Silver was awarded Rs 34 lakh, while Jayanti Behera (Para-athletics), who won a Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 30 lakh from the state government. Swadhin Mahar received Rs 14 lakh for winning Silver in Para-athletics.

Para-badminton player Deep Ranjan Bisoi, who won a Gold and a Bronze, received Rs 18 lakh, while Para-badminton Bronze medallist Subhrajeet Maharana was awarded with Rs 4 lakh.

The sports minister also presented a cash award of Rs. 50,000 each to para-athletes for their participation in the World Ability Sports 2023. Para-badminton players G Dillaswar Rao and Nurul Hossain Khan, along with Wheelchair Fencing athletes — Rakhal Kumar Sethy, V Ramesh Rao, Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray, Pujaswini Nayak, Sheela Mantri, Pabitra Sahu and Malti Panaure– each received Rs 50,000 for their participation in the World Ability Sports that is held once in every 2 years.

by Abhishek Shukla

Khelo India Para Games: Northern belt sees Rajasthan lead the line with 10 golds

New Delhi, 26th December 2023: The Khelo India Para Games 2023, hosted across seven venues in Delhi, gave rise to many future stars in different sports from different states in India. One state that performed well was Rajasthan, who bagged 43 medals, including 10 golds, 20 silver and 13 bronze. They finished sixth on the medals table, just above Punjab (7th with 20 medals — 8 gold, 2 silver, 10 bronze) and Delhi (8th with 36 medals — 7 gold, 10 silver, 19 bronze). Haryana finished on top with 105 medals while Uttar Pradesh were second best with 62.

One of the star performers for Rajasthan was Jeetu Kanwar, who won the Bronze medal in the 100m T35 Class. Jeetu, who was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, finished with a timing of 23.81 seconds, below Preeti Pal (Uttar Pradesh, 15.65 seconds) and Avani (Haryana, 21.68 seconds). Previously, the sprinter won multiple laurels at the National Para Athletics Championships in different events like the 100m, 200m and long jump.

Apart from her career in sports, Jeetu is also pursuing her PhD in Public Health at the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.

Punjab also had multiple medal winners in their ranks and one star who performed well was Parmjeet Kumar, who secured the yellow medal with a more-than-impressive lift of 150kg in the Elite 49kg category in powerlifting. He finished above Dilipkumar Shukla of Gujarat (121 kg) and Bhammar Maya Bhai Loma bhai, also of Gujarat (105 kg).

His victorious lifts came after Parmjeet created history after becoming the first Indian to win gold at the Senior Worlds after he emerged victorious in the men’s – 49kg Total event at the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships with a total lift of 462 kg (150, 155, and 157 kg). He has previously won bronze at the same event in 2021.

Delhi’s Sakshi Kasana won two medals in different athletic events — Silver in Javelin Throw and Gold in Discus Throw. This comes after the star para-athlete led Team India to the bronze medal in the women’s Discus Throw event at the Asian Para Games with a throw of 22.06m. Kasana, who has been in a wheelchair since a spine injury following an accident in 2017, has also won the silver medal in the F51/53/55 Discus Throw event at the 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunisia.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jyoti Baliyan, Shashank Kumar headline top performers from Uttar Pradesh at Khelo India Para Games

New Delhi, 21st December 2023: The para-athletes from Uttar Pradesh performed to the best of their abilities during the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Para Games 2023, which was hosted in three venues across seven days in New Delhi. In second place on the medal tally, the North Indian state finished with 62 medals — 25 Gold, 23 Silver and 14 Bronze medals — to their name.

Among the top performers from the state was one of the biggest Paralympians in the country — Jyoti Baliyan. She is arguably the most renowned Para-Archers in India. She has represented her nation at multiple international events. In the Compound Individual Event, she lost to Sheetal Devi of Jammu and Kashmir in the final (141-138) to seal the silver medal as her own.

Baliyan is a winner of Silver at the World Archery Para Championship with Shyam Sundar Swami in the Compound Archery Mixed Team event after their defeat to Bair Shigaev and Tatiana Andrievskaia of the Russian Archery Federation (148-150). She was diagnosed with Polio, but despite setbacks, she has never backed down from any challenge.

Another prominent name from the state to make a name for himself was Shashank Kumar. The para-badminton star beat West Bengal’s Ankit Pradhan 21-7, 21-9 for the gold medal in the men’s singles Badminton WH-1 category. Shashank, who suffered from Polio at the young age of four, is also a winner of the Silver at the Uganda Para-Badminton International Level-3 in 2022 and a bronze medallist in mixed doubles at the Brazil International Para-Badminton Tournament.

Preeti Pal bagged the gold medal in two different events — the Women’s 100m T35 category with a timing of 15.65 sec, and the 200m T35/T37 category with a timing of 32.36 seconds. The Meerut-based sprinter missed out on a podium place at the Asian Para Games 2023 by a few milli-seconds in the 100 and 200m categories. Preeti was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age but is still among the top young para-athletes in the country.

Prachi Pandey, India’s latest Para Table Tennis star, won Gold at the Khelo India Para Games. She beat Gujarat’s Dhwani Shah 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-2) in the final to clinch the ultimate laurel in her event. Her diagnosis of spina bifida, a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in the legs, did not deter her from becoming an ace Table Tennis player, and now, she is also working in the IT department at Microsoft.

Meanwhile, Javelin Thrower Dipesh Kumar sealed Gold with a brilliant throw of 26.05 metres. The Thrower prevailed in a battle with his statemate Pradeep Kumar, who won silver with a throw of 25.30 metres.

by Abhishek Shukla

For CP quadriplegic Jeetu Kanwar why nothing is impossible

19th December New Delhi: Every athlete in the just-concluded Khelo India Para Games in Delhi was unique. Their ability to rise above physical and mental challenges exposed their God-gifted special qualities that able-bodied sportspersons can never fathom. Jeetu Kanwar is perhaps extra special. Her life story is simply surreal and just unbelievable.

“She has seen a very difficult phase early in life and that has made her a very strong woman today. She has faced all the challenges all by herself and today, she is a self-made woman and an inspiration to the society,” said Kavita Suresh, the general secretary of the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI).
A spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy patient, Jeetu Kanwar, now 29, has been facing life’s odds ever since she was in her mother’s womb. Her form of spastic CP is the severest and it affects the movement of all four limbs, the trunk and the face.

Jeetu’s grit and determination was seen at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium last week when she sprinted to the 100m bronze medal in T-35 class. Now she wants to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Jeetu Kanwar was born on June 26, 1994 in a humble family in Khudiyala dhani under Shergarh block of Jodhpur district. The first signs of cerebral palsy were discovered within three hours of Jeetu’s birth after she didn’t cry even once in the entire period.

Her father Ladu Singh, a senior nursing officer at Primary Health Centre, Nathrau, was as clueless as her mother Rukam Kanwar. Lack of adequate oxygen in Jeetu’s developing brain during her mother’s pregnancy resulted in problems with all her limb and muscle movements.

“My parents were not well educated. Moneywise also we weren’t very strong. My parents and grandparents visited hospitals in Jodhpur but there weren’t facilities to treat cerebral palsy. They also went to all sacred places in and around Rajasthan to seek divine intervention but nothing helped,” Jeetu said.

Being the first among five siblings, Jeetu took three years to start walking. When her younger sister Nenu walked in a year’s time, neighbours and the larger family started to look down upon her. The Kanwars were also discriminated because their first kids were both daughters!

Stunted growth and problems with all body part movements made her life miserable. However, Jeetu wasn’t the one to become depressed but resolved to fight back. When she was put in the local government school, kids tormented Jeetu. Life was a nightmare.

To be able to focus on studies, Jeetu changed many primary schools before she was sent to a school meant for persons with physical disabilities 20 kilometres outside Jodhpur. Jeetu excelled by emerging topper in each class from 6 to 12 at the Sucheta Kripalani Shiksha Niketan, established by then Rajya Sabha MP Narayan Singh Manaklao.

“It was a different world altogether. What is easy for a normal person, it was a huge struggle for me. Tying shoe laces, brushing one’s teeth, taking a bath, changing clothes and holding a pen or even writing down class notes or exams used to be very difficult. But the challenge only made me stronger. I resolved not to give up,” she explained.

Jeetu received the Indira Priyadarshini Award from Rajasthan Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari in 2010 for being the topper in the state among cerebral palsy kids. This came as a huge motivation and her interest in academics grew. A scholarship from a US-based NGO Polio Children followed only helping Jeetu pursue higher education.

Jeetu got admission in BA Pass course in Kamala Nehru College under Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur. Since it was a college for general students, she had to face discrimination and humiliation at the hands of her classmates once again. Still, she graduated with flying colours in 2013.

“I used to struggle asking questions in the class and everyone used to make fun of me. Asking the professor to repeat something also became a big task. I did not have the money to afford speech therapy. I didn’t have any friends who could help me with notes or projects. So, I would get tired after studying, making notes till late nights at the hostel,” she said.

Jeetu secured a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law & Governance from Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer. It was altogether a new challenge to shift to a new city but her determination helped her earn a gold medal in the subject in 2015, which was awarded to her by former ISRO chairman and vice-chancellor K. Kasturirangan during the University’s convocation.

“It was the first time I invited my parents to come and witness my achievement. I had never called them for any prizes or awards I won before this. My parents were super happy, kept applauding me even after I got down from the stage. Tears of joy trickled down their cheeks as they shared their pride about their disabled daughter. That is the most cherished moment of my life,” Jeetu recalled.

Jeetu is now a research scholar at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in Delhi pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the Centre of Social Medicine & Community Health in JNU.

Repeated problems with her mobility forced Jeetu to consult doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). And thus began her sporting career in 2015-2016.

“I was unable to walk even 400 m from hostel to classroom at JNU. That’s when I consulted someone at AIIMS. The doctor told me to immediately start physiotherapy and get into physical activity for at least 2-3 hours daily. Around the same time, I heard about the Rio Olympics and I felt it will be a big thing to represent India one day. My classmate was Neha Yadav, who was a trained physio, and she used to help me overcome the stiffness in my limbs and muscles,” she said.

Since then, Jeetu hasn’t looked back and went on to win the 100m gold medal thrice in National Para Athletics Championships, jointly organised by Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) and the Paralympic Committee of India. She also won the gold in 200m at the same meet along with silver in long jump.


Sporting Accomplishments at National Level

2017: National Para Athletics Championship – Gold medal in 100m & Silver medal in 200m

2018: National Para Athletics Championship – Gold medal in 100m, Gold medal in 200m & Silver medal in long Jump

2021: National Para Athletics Championship – Bronze medal in 100m

2023: National Para Athletics championship 2023 – Silver medal in 100m; 1st CPSFI National Para Athletics Championship – Gold medal in 100m; 2nd CPSFI National Para Athletics Championship – Silver Medal in 100m; 1st Khelo India Para Games – Bronze Medal in 100m

International Representation

2018: CPISRA World Games, Barcelona, Spain

2022: IWAS World Games, Portugal

2023: World Ability Games, Thailand

by Abhishek Shukla

Khelo India Para Games – a celebration of human passion and spirit says Anurag Thakur as Haryana becomes first champion of KIPG

New Delhi, 17th December 2023; Curtains came down on the first-ever Khelo India Para Games after a week-long celebrations of human spirit and inclusivity. In the games that had 173 gold medals up for grabs, Haryana bagged top honours with a total of 105 medals including 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze medals.Finishing second was Uttar Pradesh, with a total of 62 medals, including 25 gold, 23 silver and 14 bronze. 

Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals. While the Games witnessed star para athletes who were fresh from their Asian Para Games success in Hangzhou, China. The likes of armless archer Sheetal Devi, discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, table tennis star Bhavina Patel, Parul Parmar, Nishad Kumar among several others, there were also some heart-warming performances by upcoming stars who defied physical limitations to finish on the podium. 

Hailing the efforts of the participating, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting said, “Today, under these spotlights, we honor not just medals, but the resilient spirits and untold stories that have painted this arena. The Khelo India Para Games 2023 mark a historic chapter in our sports history, where participation eclipses mere victory. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, ‘Kheloge toh khiloge.’ These past days have etched moments of unwavering human spirits, forging new milestones, talents emerging, records falling, and prejudices shattered. This is the new India, envisioned by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”

Rajesh T of Tamil Nadu, Sandeep Dangi of Haryana, Tulika Jadhao of Maharashtra, Ashmita of Assam are all names to reckon with for their incredible grit and determination. The Games also witnessed an Asian record being bettered by Pranav Soorma of Haryana who improved his Asian Para Games gold medal-winning performance of 30.01 with an effort of 33.54 metres in club throw event. He improved the Asian record of 31.09m held by Dharambir. 

Sports superstars like Mary Kom, Harbhajan Singh, Anju Bobby George, Anjum Moudgil, Manu Bhaker, Viren Rasquinha, Ajay Jadeja among others made their presence felt at the victory ceremonies to honour the efforts of the para athletes and also lauded the Government of India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for introducing para games in their flagship Khelo India events. 

The action on final day also saw Kerala clinch a stupendous 7-0 win against Tamil Nadu in CP football with Y Jaya Surya scoring 3 goals while 4 goals were scored by A Growth. In table tennis, In the men’s Class-4 category, Sumit Sehgal of Haryana defeated Ramesh Chaudhary of Gujarat 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) in the final to clinch gold medal.

Over 1450 para athletes from 32 states and Union Territories participated in the prestigious Khelo India Para Games which saw events in seven disciplines. 

Other scores: 

Gajanan Parmar (MP) beat Shashidhar Kulkarni (KNT) 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11) in the Men’s Class-8 category.

Raj Aravindan Alagar (TN) beat Pawan Kumar Sharma (UP) 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-7) in the Men’s Class-5 category

Poonam (CHD) beat BhavikaKukadiya (GUJ) 3-1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5) in the Women’s Class-6 category

Baby Sahana (TN) beat PruthviBarve (MHR) 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-3) in the Women’s Class 9-10 category

Prachi Pandey (UP) beat Dhwani Shah (GUJ) 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-2) in the Women’s Class 7 category
by Abhishek Shukla

Haryana Triumphs in the First Khelo India Para Games, Leading the Medal Tally

December 17, 2023

In a landmark event for Indian sports, Haryana emerged as the top performer in the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, leading the medal tally with an impressive haul. The games, which saw participation from athletes across the country, marked a significant milestone in promoting para-sports in India.

Haryana: A Dominant Force

Haryana athletes showcased exceptional skill and determination, securing a total of 105 medals, including 40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze. This remarkable achievement underlines the state’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent across various disciplines.

Top Contenders

Other states also made their mark in the competition. Uttar Pradesh followed with 62 medals (25 gold, 23 silver, 14 bronze), while Tamil Nadu claimed the third spot with 42 medals, including 20 gold. The medal tally reflects the competitive spirit and high standards set by the participants, representing a bright future for para-sports in India.

Celebrating Inclusivity and Excellence

The Khelo India Para Games, part of the broader Khelo India initiative, aim to foster a culture of sports and encourage the inclusion of athletes with disabilities. The success of these games is a testament to the growing recognition and support for para-athletes in the country.

A Milestone for Indian Sports

The inaugural Khelo India Para Games have set a precedent for future events, promising to be a cornerstone in the development of para-sports in India. The achievements of these athletes not only highlight their individual talents but also showcase the potential of inclusive sports to inspire and unite.

In conclusion, the first Khelo India Para Games have been a resounding success, with Haryana leading the way in the medal tally. The event marks a new era in Indian sports, celebrating the spirit of inclusivity and excellence in para-sports.

by Abhishek Shukla

Khelo India Para Games 2023: Jammu’s Sheetal Devi pips UP’s Jyoti Baliyan for gold

New Delhi, 16 December 2023: Sheetal Devi continued her stunning form with a gold in the Open category of compound archery event at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games on Saturday. Sheetal’s 141 at the JLN Stadium was just enough to ward off a serious challenge from Uttar Pradesh’s Jyoti Baliyan, who won the silver with 138.
 
Sheetal Devi has been making headlines ever since the armless archer from Jammu won two medals at her maiden Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. But at these Games, Sheetal did not have it easy and had to dig into her skills and mental strength to pip Jyoti in a thrilling finish. Sarita from Haryana won bronze with a score of 137.
 
Paralympians Harvinder Singh of Haryana and Vivek Chikara from Uttar Pradesh also finished among the medals in recurve archery. While Harvinder won gold, Chikara settled for silver and Sahil from Haryana won the bronze.
 
Para Asian Games 2023 silver medalist Rudransh Khandelwal of Rajasthan continued his good form on the final day at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, as he claimed the gold medal in the Men’s 50m Pistol SH1 event with a score of 223.4. Khandelwal, who holds the World Record in the same event, surpassed Haryana’s Singhraj (216.4) who settled for silver. Rajasthan’s Shiv Raj Sankhala won the ronze medal with a score of 194.7.
 
BRIEF SCORES
 
Table Tennis: Final scores:
 
Women’s Class-5 category: Shitalben Darji (Guj) beat Bharti Ben Padhariya (Guj) 3-2 (11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5)
Women’s Class 1-3 category: Sonal Patel (Guj) beat Vidya Kumari (Bihar) 3-0 (11-3, 11-1, 11-2)
 
Men’s Class-2 category: Lloyd Fernandes (Goa) beat Avinash Gopinathan (TN) 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-9)
Men’s Class-1 category: J.D. Madan (TN) beat Mayank Srivastava (UP) 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) Men’s Class-3 category: Shubham Wadhwa (Pun) beat Madhu Ram (Raj) 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-1)

by Abhishek Shukla

Bobsleigh: Arturs Klots Triumphs at Para Sport World Cup in Sigulda

Sigulda, Latvia – The Para Sport Bobsleigh World Cup, held on December 16, 2023, witnessed an exhilarating showcase of skill and determination in the Para Bobsleigh competition. Athletes from across the globe converged at the Sigulda track to compete in this prestigious event.

Arturs Klots emerged victorious, setting an impressive total time of 1:28.25. His consistent performance across both runs, maintaining the top position in each interval, showcased his exceptional control and speed, with a final speed of 75.73 km/h in the second run.

Close behind, Robert Balk secured the second spot with a total time of 1:28.49, just 0.24 seconds behind Klots. This narrow margin highlighted the intense competition and high skill levels of the participants.

Hermann Ellmauer claimed the third position with a total time of 1:28.56, demonstrating the close competition with only 0.31 seconds separating him from the leader.

Corie Mapp, another strong competitor, finished fourth with a total time of 1:28.58, a mere 0.33 seconds behind the leader, further emphasizing the tight contest among the top contenders.

The event, part of the IBSF Para Sport World Cup, was not just a competition but a celebration of the athletes’ resilience and dedication to the sport. The Sigulda track, known for its technical demands, provided a challenging yet fair ground for this thrilling event.

by Abhishek Shukla

Tokyo Paralympics stars Bhavina Patel, Parul Parmar and Sonal Patel to headline for Gujarat at the first edition of Khelo India Para Games

New Delhi, 4th December, 2023: It was the year 2010 when the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, changed the sporting ethos of the state by introducing a unique and first-of-its-kind campaign named “Khel Mahakumbh” with an aim to nurture a culture of sports in the state.

“Khel Mahakumb” was the concept behind introducing “Khelo India.” Nearly 13 years hence, the vision of one state would be pivotal at improving India’s sports culture at the grass-root level through organized talent identification, structured sporting competitions and infrastructure development. At the upcoming Khelo India Para Games, Gujarat will field a strong contingent of 95 para-athletes which will also include Tokyo Paralympics icons Bhavina Patel, Sonal Patel and Parul Parmar. Top names like Amrut Panchal, Rachana Patel and Bhavna Chaudhary will also participate in the upcoming prestigious event.
In Para Sports, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Gujarat has been the pioneer.

Shri Kanubhai was one of the initial members who introduced the country to para sports. “In 1984, when we used to tell that physically challenged people can play sports too, people used to laugh. They thought that we were good for nothing and that God had punished us for bad deeds in our previous life,” says Kanubhai remembering the initial days of para sports in the country.

The baton in the state was successfully carried on by Shri Kantibhai Parmar, the current President of Para Association of Gujarat and slowly Gujarat started making its mark in the field of para sports in the country.
The state has become the hub for para-table tennis. In the first ever Khelo India Para Games nearly 30 players from Gujarat are participating in the discipline.

Lallan Doshi, the coach and the mentor of most these players, is the man behind the movement. “Bhavina (Patel) and Sonal (Patel) have been playing table tennis for quite some time but it is only after Bhavina’s silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Para Games, that other girls took it seriously. Today we have developed state-of-art facilities for the players and also focus on the rehabilitation and physical health,” says Doshi explaining the exponential growth of para table-tennis in the state.

Bhavina Patel, the silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 Para Games, is one of the icon players of the country today. “When I won the medal, it was clear message that sports-persons from Gujarat can also achieve great things at big sports events. First ever Khelo India Para Games is such a great platform for players who don’t get enough national level platforms to showcase their talent. There is so much optimism about these games,” says Bhavina.

The rise of para sports in the state is evident from the fact that three able-bodied women athletes were part of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the same number of female athletes also qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

In the recently concluded Asian Games at Hangzhou, China, no able-body athlete from Gujarat was able to win a medal, but when it came to Para-Asian Games held at the same venue few days later, Gujarat won 7 medals.

Buoyed, by the development of para sports in the sports, Shri Kantibhai Parmar, President of Para Sports Association of Gujarat, sees a bright future for the state. “We are very confident that our athletes shall shine at the first ever Khelo India Para Games and state shall rise as a para-sports power. Though our normal-body athletes have under-achieved till date, but our para-athletes are ready to bring Gujarat on the sports map of the country.”

About 95 athletes have registered in the Khelo India Para Games which will commence from 10th of December, 2023. The list of participants is as follows:

SPORT ATHLETES
Athletics 35
Table Tennis 30
Power-Lifting 17
Archery 6
Badminton 5
Shooting 2

by Abhishek Shukla

Aiming for gold at the Paris Paralympics, World No. 1 archer Sheetal Devi terms her journey a surreal one. 

New Delhi, December 1, 2023: Sheetal Devi’s story is one of fierce grit and determination, but many are still unaware of her incredible journey about how she took up archery and emerged as the champion athlete. The World No. 1 para archer, who bagged two gold medals and a silver at the recent Asian Para Games, is now focused on repeating her performance at next year’s Paralympic Games in Paris.

Bangalore-based storytelling startup, Being You focuses on documenting and celebrating human stories as they believe that positive stories inspire change in Individuals and the society and Sheetal is the biggest example and flag bearer of this initiative.

“Until a couple of years back I had not even stepped out of Jammu and Kashmir. It feels a little overwhelming when I go around representing India in different countries. I handle those moments calmly and ensure I hit the bullseye,” the archer commented while reminiscing how as a 14-year-old she came in touch with Being You in 2021 which changed her life completely.

“I have my eyes on the Paris Paralympics. I am putting all efforts to ensure that the Indian flag flies high on the podium and I bring back as many medals as possible,”  she further added.

When Sheetal realised that the prosthetics don’t work for her, she and her family had left all hopes. That is when she saw the stories of Sharath Gaekwad and Shekhar Naik from the book – Being You: Against All Odds, written by Preethi, which got her all inspired. Being You has also signed up with sheetal and will be managing the athlete from here on.

“When we first met her in Bengaluru in 2021, Sheetal was keen to only have prosthetic hands. After a lot of convincing, she decided to take up sports. I and my team and I were convinced that Sheetal had all the qualities and abilities to become an athlete. With the help of GoSports, we reached out to sports physio Srikanth Iyengar and he recognised her sublime core strength, which she had developed while regularly climbing trees in her village and that is how it was decided that she should take up archery,” said Preethi

And what the 16-year-old has achieved in the last two years is a testament of what Being You had envisioned for her, and it is just the beginning of a massive success journey that no one possibly ever imagined for her.

The para-archer’s journey took flight as she started to clinch victories in the national and international competitions, culminating in a stellar performance at the Asian Para Games 2023, where she secured two gold and one silver medal.

Already number one para archer in the world after terrific performances in recent tournaments, Sheetal aims to bring more laurels to the country.

Sheetal will continue to train for the forthcoming competitions at the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, who have constantly supported the para archer since she took up the sport. Keeping the funds going has always been a formidable task.

As she has already started preparing for the Paralympics, her focus now is following her training regime. “My present form, diet and focus align with what I need to do to train for the Paris Paralympics 2024. I will continue to improve my game and focus on acing it there,” she concluded.

On the sidelines of the event, Sheetal also unveiled the cover page of the second edition of Being You :Against all Odds by Being You founder Preethi, the same book that inspired her to take up the sport. The first edition of the book was launched in 2021 with 100 Inspiring stories of extraordinary Indians who have achieved the unthinkable, going against all the odds. The book went on to inspire numerous people including Sheetal. The second edition of the book will be launched in January 2024, with a special exclusive story of Sheetal and her unbelievable journey.

List of Acknowledgements

-Amputee sports achievers, Shalini Saraswathi, Briju Mohan & Vishwas: They suggested

 Sheetal, prosthetics were an hindrance and she should get into sports.

-Former Blind Cricket Captain Shekar Naik & Paralympian Sharath Gaeykwad for sharing their

 journey with Sheetal and inspiring her

– Go Sports CEO Deepthi Boppaiah for connecting Being You with Srikanth Iyengar & Kuldeep Vedwan

– Physio Srikanth Iyengar- Assessed Sheetal and suggested Archery to go with.

-Sunil Handa, Ekalavya Education Foundation- for all the mentoring

– Aditi & Sneh from Bakers Dozen who backed us financially

– ONGC Foundation for her first state of the art Archery kit

– Anoj from Milaap – Our NGO partners

– MP Tejasvi Surya for recommending to the ONGC for providing archery kit

– Ramesh Kumar IAS, former CEO of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for accommodating

  Sheetal and Sh Anshul Garg, Present CEO of Shrine Board

– Sheetal’s Family: Sh Man Singh, Smt Shakti Devi, sister Shivani & brother Ajay Singh

– Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for the initial equipment & training

– Coach Kuldeep Vedwan & Abhilasha Choudary for training

– Khelo Hero Scheme by Hero MotoCorp through the Paralympic Association of India.

– TOP scheme by Ministry of Sports, Government of India

– OGQ’s for onboarding Sheetal Devi in Dec 2022 & many more

– SBI Foundation

Also, 11 RR Indian Armed forces, Maj Akshay Girish Foundation  & Anupam Kher for bringing her dream of getting prosthetic arms to reality which got her to Bangalore. A journey which connected the team to Sheetal which enabled us to change her story line.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bhavina finishes with historic silver

New Delhi, August 29: Bhavina Patel ended her maiden Paralympic Games journey on a contended note, finishing with a silver medal in the table tennis (Class 4) events in Tokyo this morning. 

The Indian, who became the first woman paddler to win a medal at the Games, lost 7-11, 5-11, 6-11 in the final to world No. 1 Zhou Ying of China. Thus, Zhou won her third title, having won back-to-back gold medals at the Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Games.

Incidentally, Bhavina is also the second Indian female participant to win a Paralympic Games medal, opening the account for India in Tokyo.

Though the Indian began well this morning, matching stroke for stroke, Zhou proved a class apart. At 3-3, the Chinese took the initiative and broke away. Then she maintained the lead to go one-up. The top-ranked player did not need any further invitation or motivation after completing the opening game the way she did. 

Zhou mixed her shots, exploiting angles well. However, Bhavina groped in the dark in a well-lit Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium Hall. Finding her plight, the Chinese shifted into higher gears, upsetting the world No. 8’s rhythm further in the second game. Bhavina could never make any adjustments in her game plan. 

The 2-0 cushion for the Chinese was good enough to push the Indian to the brink. And, as expected, Bhavina lowered her guard without presenting any variety from her arsenal. It made the Chinese task that much easier. 

And, as expected, Bhavina lowered her guard without bringing any variety to the table, and nothing left in her arsenal. It made the Chinese task that much easier, who needed just 19 minutes overall.

For Bhavina and other para-TT players, the silver medal in Tokyo would serve as the stepping stone and inspire a generation of players. The Mehsana girl, who got afflicted with polio at 12, started playing table tennis as a pastime sport. But she got hooked to the game when she joined the Computer Science course in Ahmedabad.

It was not all hunky-dory for Bhavina, with crutches on, to reach the practice venue regularly. It meant taking the few bus and auto rides, and she was up for them. But her determination got further strengthened when she had a reliable friend in Nakul Patel, then an under-19 cricketer, and now her spouse. The two together scaled the mountain of hurdles in front of her.

Nakul was apt when he praised Bhavina, saying, “she was determined and her drive to overcome the obstacles that saw her finish on the podium here in Tokyo.” Nakul, who is with Bhavina in Tokyo, felt as proud as every Indian back home.

It was not a surprise that President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country congratulating the 34-year-old for her historic feat. In a fitting tweet, the Prime Minister said: “The remarkable Bhavina Patel has scripted history! She brings home a historic silver medal. Congratulations to her for it. Her life journey is motivating and will also draw more youngsters towards sports.”