Navdeep Singh Calls Khelo India Para Games 2025 a Major Platform for Young Athletes

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Paralympic gold medalist Navdeep Singh has emphasized the significance of the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) in fostering the growth of para athletes in India.

The javelin thrower, who clinched gold at the 2024 Paralympics, believes the tournament reflects the government's strong commitment to promoting para sports across the country.

The second edition of the Khelo India Para Games is set to commence on March 20, 2025. Navdeep, an Arjuna Award recipient, shared his thoughts on how the competition contributes to the para-sporting ecosystem, particularly for senior athletes.

"KIPG 2025 is a great platform for senior athletes to compete against each other. We also motivate each other at all times. It further helps us in testing our training modules and practice our strengths and weaknesses before international competitions. We also get a chance to meet with budding athletes and get to exchange different ideas and thoughts on the competitions," Navdeep told SAI Media.

The seven-day tournament will see participation from over 1,200 athletes across six sporting disciplines. The events will take place at three key venues in New Delhi - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium, and Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.

Following the success of the inaugural edition in December 2023, KIPG has emerged as a key national event for para athletes. Notably, 25 participants from KIPG 2023 went on to represent India at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Navdeep, who secured a silver medal in KIPG 2023 before his gold-winning performance in the F41 javelin throw category at the Paralympics, acknowledged the tournament's role in discovering and nurturing talent.

"After India's performance at Paris Paralympics, there is a growing interest in the Para Games, with a lot of youngsters coming up. I am confident the Khelo India Para Games 2025 will also see several new athletes joining in to compete. I am hopeful the country will get to witness new talent, which will help in recognising future prospects," the 24-year-old stated.

He further highlighted the importance of domestic competitions in strengthening India's para-athletic pipeline. "The domestic tournaments are important for growth of para athletics. In the recently concluded World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025, several new athletes were also introduced and earned opportunities. KIPG 2025 will further help in unearthing of talent in the country," he added.

The 2025 edition of KIPG will feature an impressive lineup of elite athletes, including Paris Paralympics gold medalists Harvinder Singh (archery), Dharambir (club throw), and Praveen Kumar (high jump). Medallists from the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou will also compete, alongside more than 50 para-athletes who are part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) core group for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

With top athletes and emerging talents set to compete, the Khelo India Para Games 2025 is poised to be a major milestone in the growth and recognition of para sports in India.