For the record, India had won just one medal in the 2012 Paralympics in London. In Rio the number had increased to 4 and it was a significant achievement for the country that was still trying to come to terms with the Paralympics. In Tokyo, it was a four fold jump and India ended with 19 medals from a contingent of 54 athletes and it was by far the most successful Paralympics in India’s sporting history. India lost a few very close contests or else the medal count could well have crossed 20. The momentum continued with the Asian Para Games in 2023 where India won 111 medals last October. It is against this backdrop that India will be sending its biggest contingent to Paris and hoping for a record medal haul. Even at the risk of being questioned later on, may I say that 35 medals in Paris is a very realistic proposition for India. Under the new President Devendra Jhajharia, India’s most decorated Paralympian ever with two golds and a silver to his name, India is expected to field its best ever team and double its Tokyo medal count.
To be able to do so the last few months are extremely crucial to be able to afford our athletes the best facilities for training and more. In this context the deal between the Shrachi Group and the Paralympic Committee of India to support the Paralympic movement in India is a significant step forward.
Continuing with their forays to supporting the growth of multi sport in India, Shrachi Group and Shrachi Sports have signed a deal with the Paralympic Committee of India for 3 years. Ahead of the Paralympic Games, this deal, it can be argued, will help the PCI support its athletes better and make a difference to India’s ground breaking effort in Paris.
Speaking on the occasion, Shrachi Group MD Rahul Todi said, “It has always been a deep desire to see my country do well in the Paralympics. It is an index of what we stand for as a society. We need to support the Paralympic movement in every way and not just express sympathy. In fact, it is never about sympathy. Rather, we need to treat our para athletes just as we do our able bodied athletes and give them the very same support and respect. Our support is a small effort in helping them better prepare for Paris and beyond.”
Thanking Shrachi Group for coming forward, PCI President Devendra Jhajharia said, “When I competed in 2004 there was very little support for the Paralympics. It gives me great joy to see things have changed. This partnership will go a long way to helping us do our best in Paris and I am confident the Paris Paralympics will be a watershed in the history of Indian sport. On behalf of the athletes I thank Shrachi Sports for the support and the commitment shown to the cause.”
Tamal Ghosal, Chairman, Shrachi was equally elated with the partnership. “Some things just leave a mark on you. To see our Para athletes do that at the Olympics and Asian Games stage is one such. 111 medals at the Asian Para Games was testimony how good they are and it is only fitting corporate India comes forward to support them in true measure”.
The MOU was signed by Rahul Swami, CEO PCI and Rahul Todi on behalf of Shrachi in the presence of many distinguished personalities in Kolkata.
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