PCI President Devendra Jhajharia confident of India winning more than 25 medals at Paris 2024 Paralympics

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia, the two-time Paralympic gold medallist, is confident of India winning at least 25 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, scheduled to start on August 28.

He stated that a lot of para-athletes are part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) scheme and received assistance from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sponsorship. With the action moving from the Summer Games to the Paralympics, India is fielding athletes in 12 different sports for the first time in the Games' history.

"I have been a part of Paralympics for over 20 years now. I know every athlete personally. I know their game and their performance... 50 athletes are going for the Paralympics as part of the TOPS scheme. 16 players of our first para-games are also going... We have helped many athletes through CSR sponsorship," Devendra told ANI.

Furthermore, Devendra also emphasized the enhanced support the Indian para-athletes are receiving currently. From no media presence during the 2004 Paralympics to the current contingent getting a send-off from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, things have changed a lot.

"Seeing the hard work and training put in by our athletes over three years, I can say that we will win more than 25 medals and India will be among the top 20 in the medal tally... We have undertaken the Paris Paralympics as our mission...

"Out of our 84-member team, all are equally capable of winning a medal... Back when I went for my first Paralympics in 2004 and won a medal, nobody recognised me, there was no media at the airport to receive me. I spent my own money to fund my expenses. Now, PM Narendra Modi has given para-athletes a new identity," he added.

#WATCH | Paris Paralympics 2024 | President of the Paralympic Committee of India, Devendra Jhajharia says, "I have been a part of Paralympics for over 20 years now. I know every athlete personally. I know their game and their performance... 50 athletes are going for the… pic.twitter.com/1SvIpqj8M5
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

It's worth mentioning that a total of 84 para-athletes are representing India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. 52 of them are male athletes while 32 are female. Notably, India has been competing in every edition of the Paralympics since 1984.

India secured 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, including five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals. Two shooters, two shuttlers, and a javelin thrower clinched gold for India in Tokyo.