The Prime Minister discussed the importance of mental strength along with physical strength.
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian para-athlete, along with their families, guardians, and coaches contingent for the Tokyo Paralympic Games via video conferencing. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur was present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister praised the para-athletes for their self-confidence and willpower. He credited their hard work, and for being the biggest ever contingent India will send for the Paralympic Games. He said he is hopeful that India will create new history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The Prime Minister said that today’s new India does not put pressure for medals on the athletes but expects them to give their best.
The Prime Minister discussed the importance of mental strength along with physical strength. He praised the para-athletes for overcoming their circumstances, and for having the willpower to move ahead despite the circumstances.
The Prime Minister also added that in remote areas there is a lot of great talent. He said para-athletes are a living example of that. The Prime Minister said many young players in these areas with the capabilities to win medals.
The Prime Minister told the athletes that they strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat irrespective of the sports they represent. “Whatever state, the region you belong to, whatever language you speak, above all this, today you are ‘Team India. This spirit should permeate every part of our society at every level”‘, the Prime Ministers stressed.
The upcoming Tokyo Paralympics is set to begin a couple of weeks after the Tokyo Olympics. After the event was delayed by a year due to the pandemic. The Games will feature 539 events across 22 sports at 21 venues.
This year, Tokyo Paralympics will see the first time appearance of sports like Badminton and Taekwondo making their debut along with other sports.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, 19 Indian para-athletes took part in five sports clinching two Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze medal.
The Paralympic Games is set to begin on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, and will end on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
“Around Rs. 26 crores have been spent for the para-sports in the current Olympic cycle. A total of Rs. 6.1 crores have been spent under TOPS on the current core athletes in form of support towards foreign exposure, equipment, sports science services, coaching, and out-of-pocket allowance,” read a document accessed by ANI.
