54-MEMBER CONTINGENT FOR TOKYO PARALYMPICS GETS SEND-OFF

NEW DELHI: A 54-member Indian team for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics was on Thursday accorded a warm send-off by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and the national governing body, with high hopes that the country will return with its best ever performance.

The team has some of the brightest medal prospects like Devendra Jhajharia, seeking his third Paralympics gold (after 2004 and 2016) in F-46 javelin throw, Mariyappan Thangavelu (T-63 high jump) and world champion Sandeep Choudhary (F-64 javelin throw).

India will compete in nine sports. Mariyappan, who had won a gold in Rio 2016, will be the flag bearer of the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony on August 24. The Tokyo Paralympics will end on September 5.

The Tokyo-bound players were part of the event virtually as they are in a strict bio-bubble. “The ambition and self-confidence of our para athletes give inspiration to 1.3 billion Indians. In front of their courage, the biggest of challenges bow. And they deserve every bit of it,” Thakur said in a video message. “The number of our para athletes participating in the Games is three times bigger than the last edition. I believe that your performance too will be better than last time.”

Para athletes have so far won three Khel Ratna, seven Padma Shri and 33 Arjuna awards.

India achieved its best ever performance in the Paralympic Games in 2016 with two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Deepa Malik herself had won a silver in shot put at Rio 2016.

PCI secretary general Gursharan Singh will be the chef de mission of the Indian team.

Badminton will make its debut at the Paralympics, which will feature seven Indian shuttlers. India will start its campaign on August 27, with men’s and women’s archery events.