New Delhi: India’s Paralympians will have a hard act to follow at Tokyo later this month.
A 54-strong Indian team will take part in the Tokyo Paralympic Games, hoping to emulate or surpass Neeraj Chopra & Co’s record medal haul at the recently-concluded 32nd Summer Games.
The largest ever Paralympics contingent was accorded a formal and virtual send-off on Thursday by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur.
The Indian para athletes will be competing in 9 sports disciplines including archery, athletics, badminton, swimming and weightlifting. The Games will be held from August 24 to September 5.
“India is sending its largest ever contingent of 54 para athletes to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The passion of our para athletes shows their phenomenal human spirit. Remember that when you play for India, you will have 130 crore Indians cheering for you! I am extremely confident that our para athletes will give their optimum best,” Thakur said at the formal send-off ceremony, wishing them best of luck.
Deepa Malik, India’s first medallist in Paralympics and now Paralympic Committee of India president, encouraged the Tokyo-bound para athletes.
“Everyone has worked very hard and we are looking at a very amazing competition at Tokyo 2020 and are very confident that we are going to bring lot of joy, lot of glory to the Tricolour,” she said.
