In the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the felicitation of the Indian Para-Badminton team was carried out in New Delhi for its spectacular performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The contingent returned to India with their best-ever performance in Para-Badminton, securing a total of five medals-one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze.
Appreciation
Expressing his pride, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes: “You have made the entire nation proud with your outstanding performance. Your dedication and spirit have set a new benchmark for Indian sports”
He also encouraged those who narrowly missed out on medals, underlining that their experiences weren’t a loss: “We haven’t lost medals, we have gained invaluable experience. I am confident that in the future Paralympics, our medal count will further rise, and each of you will emerge as winners.” he assured.
India’s Steady Progress in Sports
Dr. Mandaviya also spoke of the gradual rise of India at international sports over a decade and elaborated, “In the last 10 years, we have continuously improved our performance, proving our mettle on the global stage,” He reassured the government of its commitment to increasing support for para-athletes by providing better facilities, training, and opportunities to excel.
Medal Winners
The champions in Para-Badminton were Nitesh Kumar (Gold), Suhas LY (Silver), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Silver), Nithya Sre (Bronze), and Manisha Ramadass (Bronze). Their efforts helped India overtake the number of medals it won at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a total of 20 medals so far as of September 3, 2024.
Recognition of Support by Government
The athletes thanked the government, especially for its support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which helped to provide them with facilities and resources that were imperative to win on the international front. Notably, the Government of India sanctioned 19 exposure trips abroad for the 13 para shuttlers who played in the games, proving a strong support system for the winners.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
