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With an end goal to help the certainty of the para-competitors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday collaborated with the Indian contingent set out toward the forthcoming Tokyo Paralympics, starting August 24.
He wished them best of luck and requested that they feel free to articulate themselves at the Paralympics.
“Covid-19 may have increased your hardships but you people have never given up, this is real sportsmanship. Your medal is very important but new India will not pressurise our athletes to win the medal, you just need to give your 100%,” PM Modi told Paralympians.
During the virtual meeting, para-competitor Devendra Jhajharia disclosed to PM Modi: “Sir, you have always encouraged para-athletes, and now we will do our best at the Tokyo Paralympics. When I was nine years old, I lost my hand and when I came back, it was a challenge to go outside my house. When I started playing in school when I pulled javelin, there were taunts that I had to deal with. There I decided that I will not be weak, in life I have learnt that when there is a challenge in front of us then you are close to achieving success. I was told that I should study and there is no place for me in sports, but I took it as a challenge.”
“I am dedicated towards javelin throw, I am very disciplined. I have a javelin in the room that I sleep in and my wife has encouraged me to keep going. In Rio 2016 I qualified for the Games, I trained in Gandhinagar. I felt very happy after winning the medal at Rio 2016 and I have been staying here and training,” he added.
PM Modi additionally praised para-shooter Jyoti Balan not really settled all through each period of her life and he wished her luck for the impending Paralympics.
“This is your first Paralympics. Your parents have done a lot for you. You are an inspiration for everyone, I would like to applaud your mother for handling every situation with great determination and grit. You are a great daughter and sister, when the country knows about you, they will get further enlightened,” said Modi.
While discussing her journey Jyoti said: “My father got me enrolled in an academy to further enhance my archery skills and now I am going to the Paralympics. When my father passed away, I was very sad. I am not that financially strong, my coach supported me. I am determined to win a medal and make the country proud. I like ‘bhindi’ so I will want to have that when I come back with a medal.”
Flag bearer Mariyappan Thangavelu told PM Modi that his only goal is to make the country proud. “I suffered an accident at a small age, but I did not let that deter me. I have been consistently looking to perform from 2011 onwards and wish to make the country proud once again in Tokyo. My coach has helped me a lot and I have got a lot of support from the government, SAI and the paralympic committee. I want to tell every athlete to never give up.”
54 para-competitors from across nine games disciplines will make a beeline for representing the country in the impending Paralympics. This is India’s biggest ever contingent at the Paralympic Games. Association Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju were likewise present during the virtual meeting. v
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