Manasi Joshi Takes Stand on Cricket Funding Against Para Sports

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Indian para-badminton star Manasi Joshi has reignited the conversation about sports funding in India, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express her views. In a powerful statement, Joshi urged the Indian government to allocate more funds to para-sports.

She asserted that such investments would yield better results than cricket. She wrote, "Cricket ka thoda funding para sports mein daalo plz. Hum better results dete hai" (Give some funding from cricket to us in para-sports. We'll give better results).

Joshi's appeal comes in the wake of India's underwhelming performance in the ongoing 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where they trail 1-2. On Day 1 of the final Test, India's batting woes persisted.

India folded for just 185 runs, while Australia finished at 9/1 at stumps. With Rohit Sharma rested, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah has been the team's lone consistent performer, underscoring the team's struggles.

Para Sports on the Rise

Joshi's call for support is particularly relevant given the Indian contingent's record-breaking success at the 2024 Paralympics in France. India secured its highest-ever medal tally, bagging 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. The team of 84 athletes competed across 12 sports.

This surpassed the previous best of 19 medals at Tokyo 2020. Despite these achievements, para-sports in India continue to struggle with limited resources compared to cricket. Joshi's message emphasizes the need for equitable funding to sustain and enhance the success of para-athletes.

Manasi Joshi: A Champion's Voice

Manasi Joshi is no stranger to breaking barriers. A former world champion in the women's singles SL3 category, she is currently ranked seventh in the SL3 category and second in the SL3-SU5 section. Her journey from a road accident in 2011, led to the amputation of her left leg.

Her becoming a world-class para-badminton player is nothing short of inspirational. Recognized among BBC's 100 most powerful women in 2020, Joshi's story reflects resilience and determination. Her plea for para sports funding is not just a call to action but a reminder of the untapped potential within Indian sports.