The 20th National Para Athletics Championship was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar on Monday. The event saw the presence of Dr. Deepa Malik, the first woman para olympian of the country, Sports Department Secretary Vineel Krishnan and Sports Minister Shri. Tushar Kanti Behera.
The mashal was brought in by sprinter Jayanti Behera and passed onto the dignitaries on the dias for lighting the diya. Following that, the sport minister declared the National Paralympic Championship open. The ground was abuzz with para athletes from all round the country with 25% of the lot being women.
The newly elected mayor of the city, Sulochana Das also graced the event with her presence and encouraged the athletes with her words. She brought forward and re-established the Chief Minister’s vision.
As per the President of Paralympic Committee of India, Dr. Deepa Mallik, one of the main intentions behind this was scouting new talents as almost 40% of the participants were freshers.
Medals were presented to the winners of the events by the dignitaries present on the dias.
