- Proactive support by the government in the form Khelo India program and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for athletes has resulted in the country emerging as a superpower in para-sports.
- Indians have not only created history in the sports fields, but they have enhanced the country’s image and soft power.
- The success of the Indian para-athletes is indicative of their abilities and potential, but they also signify the country’s call for the rights of the disabled and their integration into society.
India’s commendable show in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, has brought it a much-needed recognition that will have global implications. The para-athletes of India bagged 29 medals in the games – 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze creating a new record, underscoring the shift in policy regarding inclusion, increased government support, and the country’s emerging status as a superpower in para-sports.
Shift in the Mindset towards Para-sports
India started participating in Paralympic games in 1968 though it took the country 4 years to taste its maiden victory in 1972. Fast forward to 2024, the largest Indian contingent participated with 84 athletes in 12 sports which was a leap from the 54 athletes in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Such an increased participation signals a shift in the national mindset towards para-sports owing to the proactive support given by the government in the form Khelo India program and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for athletes.
The 2024 Games were planned to attract roughly 4,400 athletes from all over the world and gather 549 competitions in 22 sports including the examples of para-athletes. India’s participation is clear evidence of the fact that the country has put itself in a position to groom athletes with disabilities to develop into world beaters.[1]
Key Performances and Achievements
The para-athletes represented India at the international level, particularly at the recently ended 2024 Paris Paralympics demonstrating amazing skills and zeal. Paralympian Avani Lekhara, who made history in Tokyo by bagging gold, ended on top again in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event to establish herself as a player of para-shooting.
Nitesh Kumar was on the rampages on the badminton courts and clinched the gold in the Men’s Singles SL3 class which shows India’s ascendancy in this sport.
Sumit Antil further continued to make his mark and clinched the gold in the Men’s Javelin Throw F64 with a new world record and proved that Indian athletes can dominate the world record. Also, Harvinder Singh set a record in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open archery event, where he won a gold medal building up from the Tokyo bronze medal; proving that Indian Archers are now rising to be a force to reckon with in international competitions.
Together, these splendid performances helped India to earn a rich haul of medals besides inspiring the doors of empowerment and excellence in Indian sports.
Besides, these performances served additionally to the medals earned by India and demonstrated the determination and work of the athletes which continued the story of the empowered athletes in Indian sports.[2]
Government Support and Policy Impact
Indian Para-athletes owe a lot of their triumphs to the strong backing given by the Indian government. The Khelo India venture enables the incubation of talent at the grassroots level, whereas the TOPS helps in giving a required boost to the super-specialist sportspersons at the top honing level. Monthly allowances and individual training programs have also been very important for the athletes under the TOPS where they are funded.
India’s strategy to support para-athletes could serve as a paradigm for other countries aiming to enhance their para-sports programs. By offering support to athletes and implementing policies for disabled sportspersons, countries can succeed in international competitions while also addressing the concerns of people with disabilities.
Global Recognition and Soft Power
In the Paris Paralympics, Indians have not only created history in the sports fields, but they have enhanced the country’s image and soft power. India, therefore, gets to lead the world in creating a diverse society through excellently in para-sports. Another notable achievement of the Paralympics is that it has enhanced global diplomacy and cultural exchanges and has showcased India’s dedicated effort to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities.
The success of the Indian para-athletes can encourage other nations especially those in the third world or developing nations in any part of the globe to spend more in supporting their para-sports development. This could make a way for para-sports to be acknowledged universally; and not just the traditional sports, the world would hear about the country’s achievements in both arenas.[3]
Prospects and Challenges
The results of para-athletes in the Paris Paralympics should be considered as successful but at the same time, focus must also be on further investment and support of para-athletes. The next question is how to keep pace and provide infrastructure and essential conditions for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Going forward, creating more awareness for para-sports and implementing robust policies with proper support from the government and the private sector would be important. The only story that para-sports need to write for itself in India is to not only be allowed to participate but also excel both physically and mentally and not be remembered for their disability but for their skill.[4]
Conclusion
India created history in the recently concluded 2024 Paris Paralympics, which can be regarded as a turning point in the country’s sporting achievements. Thus, the success of the Indian para-athletes is indicative of their abilities and potential, but they also signify the country’s call for the rights of the disabled and their integration into society. The world watched as India reached the top in para-sports and as this success spreads aggressively, it won’t just bring change in the sports industry alone but in the general society as well. The Paris Games have provided the benchmark of the future of para-sports in India, pushing generations and reiterating the need for the processes of integration of the disabled into society.
References:
- [1] Paris Paralympics 2024 Day 10 Highlights: Navdeep’s silver upgraded to gold in Men’s Javelin Throw – F41 category; Simran wins bronze in Women’s 200m – T12 event-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/paris-paralympics/paris-paralympics-2024-live-updates-today-india-schedule-medal-tally-para-cycling-canoe-swimming-athletics-simran-arshad-shaik-yash-kumar-prachi-yadav/liveblog/113142824.cms
- [2] What Is India’s Final Medal Tally At Paris Paralympics 2024?-https://zeenews.india.com/other-sports/what-is-indias-final-medal-tally-at-paris-paralympics-2024-2790167.html
- [3] 8 medals in one day at Paris 2024: From Nitesh to Sumit, how India’s most successful day ever at the Paralympics panned out-https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/from-nitesh-to-sumit-how-indias-most-successful-day-ever-at-the-paralympics-panned-out-9547468/lite
- [4] Thanks to plenty of firsts and proven performers, India emerges as Paralympic power in Paris-https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/thanks-to-plenty-of-firsts-and-proven-performers-india-emerges-as-paralympic-power-in-paris/articleshow/113168678.cms
Parag is pursuing his master’s at the Jindal School of International Affairs. Views expressed are the author’s own.
Balaji Subramanian 
Dhruv Ashok 
Aayush Pal