PM Modi hails para-athletes for triumphing over hardship with their achievements

Celebrating their achievements as a source of motivation for the entire nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his dedication to equipping para-athletes with top-notch facilities to aid their ongoing pursuit of victory. Meeting the para-athletes at New Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Wednesday, Modi lauded their outstanding performance at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where India clinched a remarkable 111 medals.

This marked a significant leap from the previous edition in Jakarta five years ago, with a 54 percent surge in overall medals, and nearly double the number of gold medals compared to 2018, totaling 29. During his address, Modi reflected on a momentous year for Indian sports, acknowledging significant accomplishments such as Neeraj Chopra's gold at the World Athletics Championships, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy's doubles gold at the Asian Games, and Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee's groundbreaking bronze in Hangzhou. He also praised the Indian contingent for securing the Thomas Cup title and amassing a record 107 medals at the recent Asiad.

The event was attended by the athletes, their coaches, officials from the Paralympic Committee of India and Indian Olympic Association, representatives from National Sports Federations, and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, including Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Emphasizing India's aspiration to host the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics, Modi underscored the historical challenge faced by Indian athletes due to limited financial support, hindering their path to excellence.