Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the Team India jersey at a New Delhi ceremony. Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat was named one of the contingent’s flag bearers.
The Paralympic Committee of India held the send-off ceremony in New Delhi ahead of the Asian Para Games, where Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the new Team India jersey. Attendees included Paralympic medallists Simran Sharma, Preeti Pal and Kapil Parmar, archer Rakesh Kumar and powerlifter Ashok Kumar. PCI president Devendra Jhajharia, chairperson Payal Kanodia and head coach Satyanarayana were also present.
Mandaviya urged the athletes to focus on winning medals, saying para-athletes had already shown resilience by overcoming challenges in life. “You have already won the battle of life. Now you have to conquer the journey of medals,” he said. He said the government, sports federations and the Indian Olympic Association were supporting the team. Invoking the Mahabharata, he called on the athletes to stay committed to their goals and said they either win or learn.
Head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in India’s prospects, particularly in para-athletics. He said the quota in the sport had been cut from 130 places to 60, leaving 70 athletes out. The reduction disappointed some who had expected to qualify, he said, but maintained that those selected had earned their places and were fit. The para-athletics contingent will have 60 athletes, with competition beginning on October 19. He hoped the team would win gold from the opening day.
Discus thrower Suvarna Raj said an injury six months before the Games had made her uncertain about competing. She now expects to contend for a medal. “They have made me strong, and this time I promise I will win a medal,” she said. Raj also predicted that India could again finish with a three-figure medal tally, after winning 120 medals at the previous edition.
For Pramod Bhagat, the flag-bearer appointment came after a difficult period in his career. He said he had overcome those hurdles, recalled that “after sorrow comes happiness,” and would aim for gold, hoping not to disappoint supporters. He said his preparation had gone well.