Government keen on training athletes win big in Paralympics: PM Modi in Independence Day speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that his government is providing special training to para-athletes in order for them to win medals at the Paralympics, the pinnacle for specially-abled athletes.
On the 77th anniversary of India’s independence, PM Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, saying that even children from slums were demonstrating “might in the world of sports.”
“As we work to build an accessible India for Divyangjan, we are also enabling my Divyangjan to hoist the tricolor flag of India in Paralympics. We are giving special training to the players,” the Prime Minister said.
“Now look at the world of sports. Today the children who came out of the slums are showing might in the world of sports.” Paralympics are held every four years and are competed in by specially-abled athletes. They are the counterpart to the Olympics, which are competed in by able-bodied athletes.
India had its best-ever performance at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, winning 19 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze). Since its first appearance in the Paralympics in 1968, India has won 31 medals (9 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze). The 2024 Paralympics will be held in Paris.
