Many para sportspersons come from humble backgrounds continue to struggle against a hue of odds and barriers.

THE National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD), in a statement issued on September 9, congratulated the entire Indian contingent that participated in the Paris Paralympics. The spectacular performance by this team winning an unprecedented 29 medals, ten more than what they won at Tokyo, is praiseworthy. The momentum that began at Rio where India won just one medal and carried forward in Tokyo is now scaling new heights.

The performance of these sportspersons is more significant given the utter neglect of para sports in our country. Though quite recently some facilities have opened up and funding increased for disabled sports, stigma and discrimination rule the roost. Their success is the testimony to the exemplary grit and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversities. Many of these sports persons coming from humble backgrounds continue to struggle against a hue of odds and barriers.

The success of countries like China which topped the chart with 220 medals is because of the parity that it grants these sports as also its hunt for talent and training very early in life.

This overwhelming performance should at least now stir the government and sports bodies to invest more in para sports, open their facilities to disabled sports on an equal basis and treat disabled persons with the dignity they deserve. They need to be bestowed with the same amount of awards and recognition that other sports persons receive. Para sports should be encouraged in schools and other educational institutions and adequate facilities provided for the same.

And lastly, the pernicious political-bureaucratic nexus that governs bodies of disability sports needs to be dismantled and democratised.