3 weeks ago
Para-sports delivering despite comparatively less investment: Sharad Kumar
Sharad Kumar is a famous high jumper from India who won a silver medal at the Paralympics.
He came to New Delhi to talk about how Indian para-athletes are doing amazing things.
Even though less money is spent on para sports than on other sports, the athletes are still winning big competitions.
At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, India's para-athletes won seven medals.
That was the best result India has ever had for para sports at these Games.
Because of those wins, India jumped from 23rd place to fourth place.
Sharad Kumar said this shows that anybody can win when they work hard.
He spoke at an event called 'Para Elan – Sab Ka Maidan', which mixes sports with learning French.
School students got to try adaptive sports and talk with para-athletes.
The goal of the three-year programme is to reach more than 10,000 students across India.
Paris Paralympics silver-winning high-jumper Sharad Kumar said India's para-athletes are delivering tremendous results despite comparatively less investment in para sports.
India's para contingent secured seven medals — three gold, two silver and two bronze — at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the country's best-ever para campaign.
India's ranking in para sports at the Commonwealth Games jumped from 23rd to fourth, with India finishing on 39 medals overall.
Kumar said it was the first time para sports won Commonwealth Games gold medals, and the final two golds helped India break into the top four.
The Indo-French initiative 'Para Elan – Sab Ka Maidan' was inaugurated at Thyagaraj Stadium, targeting more than 10,000 students across India.
- Who
- Sharad Kumar (Paris Paralympics silver-winning high-jumper), French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou, the French Institute in India (IFI) and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
- What
- Kumar praised para-athletes' best-ever Commonwealth Games performance, and the 'Para Elan – Sab Ka Maidan' programme was inaugurated to promote French, inclusion and para sports among students.
- Where
- Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi; the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow.
- When
- Friday, August 7; the three-year programme was inaugurated in April.
- Why
- To highlight para-athletes' achievements despite comparatively lower funding, and to promote diversity and inclusion through language and sport.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Sharad Kumar (Paris Paralympics silver, Tokyo 2021 bronze, former world No. 1)
- Initiative
- Para Elan – Sab Ka Maidan
- Organizers
- French Institute in India (IFI) with Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)
- Venue
- Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi
- CWG para medals
- 7 (3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
- CWG para ranking
- Improved from 23rd to 4th
- India's total CWG medals
- 39
- Target audience
- More than 10,000 students across India
Quotes
Sharad Kumar
Paris Paralympics silver‑winning high‑jumper and former world number one
“The amount of money being put into para sports is comparatively less than other sports, and yet we are delivering tremendous results. When para‑athletes perform, sports show that anybody can win.”
theprint.in
Thierry Mathou
French Ambassador to India
“Sport is an exceptional way to communicate, exchange views and interact, and the Paralympics are a way to learn from others. Teaching French, talking about diversity, promoting differences and doing sports is our ambition.”
theprint.in
Sources
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