Over 20 athletes from the Indian contingent for the Paralympics 2024 departed for Paris from Delhi airport on Sunday, going to the host nation with expectations, the best wishes of a billion countrymen and support from all government and private partners that will motivate the athletes to surpass the record haul of 19 medals set in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
After the sporting extravaganza that was the Paris Olympics, the sporting action will continue with the Paris Paralympics from August 28 onwards and will go on till September 8. As Chef de Mission, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) vice president Satya Prakash Sangwan will lead India's largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes competing across 12 sports disciplines. His role will be pivotal in ensuring that the Indian team has the support and guidance they need to excel on the global stage.
Various reputed para-athletes, such as table tennis stars Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel, para-badminton players Manoj Sarkar, Manisha Ramdass and gold medallist Krishna Nagar, and para-athletes Sachin Sachin Sarjerao Khilari and Sakshi Kasana, among others, were at the airport to catch their flight to Paris.
Some of the athletes and PCI officials interacted with ANI and talked about the expectations from the ongoing competition, the preparation done by athletes, and support for players from various government and private entities.
PCI vice president and Chef-de-Mission of the continent, SP Sangwan, told ANI that the widespread attention that athletes have received has made them feel really good and that they will be returning home with at least 25-30 medals.
"Earlier, people used to ignore us. But now, this time we have received so much attention that it feels good. Our players are our heroes. We will win 25-30 medals, at least. At least eight to ten times, we will raise our tricolour in Paris by winning a gold medal. We are expecting 10 medals at least," Sangwan told ANI.
He said that all 84 players in the contingent are capable of winning a gold medal, but listed athletes Sumit Antil, Yogesh Kathuniya, Pranav Soorma, and badminton players as some big contenders. "Most medals will be won in athletics."
Sangwan said that the central government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Svayam, the accessibility partner of PCI, have helped athletes a lot.
"It was my dream to carry my tricolour with the group. We are targeting the top eight-ten rankings. I would like to thank the media for providing us with coverage and exposure," added Sangwan.
Para-badminton player Manoj, a bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020, is excited to go a few steps better this time in his campaign.
"I secured a bronze medal in the singles competition last time. I am really excited to change the colour of my medal this time around and cannot wait to play. I feel that badminton itself will bring 10 medals, as compared to four last time. Coming to the whole contingent, we will bring 25-plus medals," said Manoj to ANI.
On Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Pramod Bhagat missing out on action due to an anti-doping violation, Manoj said, "We will really miss him this time around. He was a big medal contender. It is a loss for us. Last time, he defeated me to reach the final. He was my doubles partner as well. As a team, we are missing him a lot."
(ANI)