Any review of Indian sport in 2024 is incomplete without a detailed mention of what the star athletes achieved at the Paris Paralympics as well as the Asia Pacific Deaf Games which concluded recently in Kuala Lumpur. If winning 29 medals in Paris and Chateauroux was an incredible achievement, the 55 medals won in Kuala Lumpur were also defining. All the athletes who have been classified as ‘Para’ athletes or ‘deaf’, overcoming the challenges and excelling in the field of play is worth lavish praise.
For those who may think the standard of competition in the Paralympics or the Deaf Games is easy, one needs a reality check. RevSportz covered them live from the venues in Paris and how the Para athletes came up with stupendous performances. Sample the various sporting disciplines these stars have shone in. It’s an eye-opener. From skillful badminton to the more technical javelin and shooting, Indians winning medals is bound to motivate so many more. The support extended to these athletes by the government has been praiseworthy. Not one athlete can complain that there was inadequate support.
Rewind to March 2024, when the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was staring at suspension from IPC (International Paralympic Committee). Like many other national sports federations, elections were overdue in the PCI. Credit must go to the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India for fast-tracking the elections. For a legendary figure like Devendra Jhajharia to get elected as the PCI president, unopposed, was the best thing to happen. An athlete at heart, he could have still gone on to represent India at the Paris Paralympics. He chose to give back to the sport and India returned with 29 medals.
“I have been elected and am thankful to all those who supported me. My goal will be to ensure Indian athletes do well in Paris,” Jhajharia told RevSportz just after the elections. And, again, when he spoke of at least 25 medals from Paris, Jhajharia was accused of hyping it far too much. He was present in Paris and moved from one venue to the other. The joy on his face was a sight to watch, as India continued to win medals. For a nation which is still not identified as a ‘sporting country’, it was a sea-change.
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The likes of Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Navdeep Singh and Harvinder Singh are now recognised. These are the stars who battle hard to bring India glory. None of them complains of what they lack. The most touching part was the opening ceremony for these athletes from India and other parts of the world. And how does one forget that quote/question from Navdeep Singh when he told his coach “khao maa kasam (swear on mum)” after being informed that he had hit 46.39 metres in javelin. Navdeep again said in an interview to RevSportz in October if he went on to break the world record, he would again tell his coach “khao maa kasam”. His popularity is massive, he gets invited by Amitabh Bachchan on the TV show as well.
So, what is it that has led to a rise in performance and medals? It is two-pronged; support from the government as well as a corporate like Shrachi Group from Kolkata coming on board. As far as coaching is concerned in Para sports, they have their own mentors. In addition, a Jaspal Rana or a Suma Shirur is also there to guide the Para athletes and ‘deaf’ athletes. Rubina Francis, from Madhya Pradesh, took to shooting with great difficulty as he had ‘clubbed feet’. And when she won a medal in Chateauroux, she did not forget to thank Jaspal as well.
“I coach any shooter who wants my help, everything in life is not about money. I still remember when Rubina first came to Bhopal at the state academy, she needed special shoes. It also gives me joy that I am able to guide someone who cannot hear but still wants to shoot,” said Jaspal, speaking about a talented boy who has done well recently in the Deaf Games. Rana does not want to highlight the shooter’s name for personal reasons. “He is going to be there at the Nationals in New Delhi. He can shoot as well as the normal people. It’s my good karma that I can help so many people,” Jaspal added.
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