The Indian government has announced a huge cash reward for Paralympic athletes who won medals at the recently concluded Paris Paralympic Games. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared that gold medalists will receive Rs 75 lakh, silver medalists will get Rs 50 lakh, and bronze medalists will be awarded Rs 30 lakh. Athletes who excelled in mixed team events, like archer Sheetal Devi, will be given Rs 22.5 lakh. The announcement was made during a ceremony held to honor the winners.
Full Support for Para-Athletes for 2028 Paralympics
Minister Mandaviya also promised full backing and all necessary facilities for para-athletes to help them aim for even more medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
“Our country is rising in Paralympic sports,” said Mandaviya. “From just four medals in 2016, India won 19 medals in Tokyo and 29 in Paris, finishing in 18th place.“
He emphasized that India would continue to provide everything needed to help para-athletes succeed and win more medals, especially gold, in the upcoming Los Angeles Paralympics.
India’s Best Ever Paralympics Performance
India’s Paralympic team ended their historic run at the Paris Games with 29 medals, which included seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals. This was India’s best-ever performance in the history of the Paralympics.
With this achievement, India crossed the milestone of 50 medals won in the history of the Paralympic Games.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Raiders of Pro Kabaddi Season 10
A Hero’s Welcome for the Medalists
India’s Paralympic athletes returned home on Tuesday to a warm and joyful welcome, surrounded by hundreds of cheering supporters after their outstanding performance in Paris.
Navdeep Singh, who won gold in the F41 javelin throw final, secured India’s 29th and final medal in the Paris Paralympics. Initially, Navdeep won silver, but his medal was upgraded to gold after the disqualification of an Iranian athlete for flag-related issues. Navdeep was thrilled, as he was finally able to put behind the disappointment of the Tokyo Paralympics, where he missed out on a medal.
Navdeep’s Success Draws Comparisons with Neeraj Chopra
Navdeep Singh’s performance in the F41 category marked India’s first-ever medal in that event, drawing comparisons to India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Neeraj had won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and added a silver to his collection at the Paris Olympics. Seeing Navdeep’s success in the Paris Para Games, his coach, Naval Singh, said that Navdeep’s javelin technique might even be better than Neeraj’s.
“I always knew Navdeep would make India proud. He has worked incredibly hard. His technique is even better than Neeraj Chopra’s. If he were competing in regular athletics, he would have achieved great things. But we are all proud of Navdeep, and this is just the beginning. He will break many records,” his coach told the Times of India.
Navdeep also praised his coach for his guidance over the years, which helped him succeed at the Paralympics.
“My coach, Naval Singh, has been training me for almost seven years. He played a huge role in my success. Whatever I am today is because of him. He turned me into an international-level javelin thrower. All the credit for my technique and skills goes to him,” said Navdeep.
READ MORE:
