Khelo India Para Games 2023: Full list of star para-athletes participating in first edition

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The first edition of Khelo India Para Games is set to kick off on December 10 in New Delhi where top para-athletes from the country will be showcasing their talent.

The state of Gujarat is set to send a powerful delegation of 95 para-athletes. This contingent will include prominent figures from the Tokyo Paralympics, Bhavina Patel, Sonal Patel, and Par Parmar, among others.

From Khel Mahakumbh Khelo India: The Evolution of Gujarat's Sports Culture

In 2010, a novel and pioneering initiative named "Khel Mahakumbh" was launched by Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, with a mission to foster a spirit of sportsmanship in the state. This innovative concept laid the foundation for the "Khelo India" campaign.

As the years passed, the vision that was born in Gujarat would play a crucial role in enhancing India's sports culture at the grassroots level. By providing organised talent identification, structured sporting competitions, and infrastructure development, the campaign made significant strides.

The forthcoming Khelo India Para Games will witness a formidable team of 95 para-athletes from Gujarat, including Tokyo Paralympic champions such as Bhavina Patel, Sonal Patel, and Parul Parmar.

Gujarat: The Trailblazer in Para Sports

Shri Kanubhai, one of the early advocates of para-sports in India, recalls a time in 1984 when the idea of physically disabled individuals participating in sports was met with skepticism and ridicule.

The responsibility was then handed over to Shri Kantibhai Parmar, the existing President of the Para Association of Gujarat, and gradually, Gujarat began to leave its mark in the domain of para-sports in India.

Gujarat has emerged as a hub for para-table tennis. The state is expected to have nearly 30 players competing in the discipline at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games. Lallan Doshi, the coach and mentor of the majority of these players, has been instrumental in this development.

He emphasizes that the success of Bhavina Patel, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Para Games, has inspired many others to take up the sport seriously.

The Ascent of Para Sports in Gujarat

Bhavina Patel, the silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Para Games, has become a role model for athletes in the country. She believes that her victory sent a powerful message that athletes from Gujarat are capable of achieving greatness at major sporting events.

The progress of para sports in Gujarat is clearly visible. Three able-bodied female athletes represented the state at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and an equal number of female athletes qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The recent Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, saw no able-bodied athlete from Gujarat clinch a medal. However, at the Para-Asian Games held at the same location shortly afterward, Gujarat bagged 7 medals.

Shri Kantibhai Parmar, President of the Para Sports Association of Gujarat, is optimistic about the future of para-sports in the state. He is confident that the athletes will perform exceptionally well at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games and help Gujarat establish itself as a powerhouse in para-sports.

The forthcoming Khelo India Para Games, commencing on December 10, 2023, is an excellent platform for the athletes of Gujarat to showcase their talents and abilities. With 95 athletes registered, the state is ready to make a strong impression and continue its legacy in the field of para-sports.

Khelo India Para Games: List of Athletes