Call for Increased Investment in Parasports Following India's Paralympics Triumph

Disability rights activists call for more investment in parasports after Indian athletes' record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics, highlighting the struggles faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in sports and daily life. They stress the need for systemic change, media coverage parity, and better infrastructure.

Disability rights activists and organisations are calling for increased investment in parasports in the wake of India's recent record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics, where athletes clinched 29 medals, surpassing their previous best tally set at the Tokyo Games.

Arman Ali, a prominent disability rights activist and executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), underscored the hardships faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in the country. ‘We excel because it’s a matter of survival. Whether it's securing a job or excelling in sports, we contend with the lack of basic facilities,’ Ali told PTI, drawing attention to the challenges para-athletes face in accessing adequate training venues.

Ali highlighted the disparity in media coverage for para-athletes compared to cricketers, questioning whether para-athletes receive the same recognition and media attention. He called for more initiatives not just in major cities but also in rural areas and stressed the need for systemic changes in policy and infrastructure relating to PwDs in sports.

The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) echoed Ali’s sentiments, urging the government to build on the success in Paris and increase investment in parasports. They cited the resilience of India's para-athletes despite facing stigma, discrimination, and limited financial support. The NPRD pointed to China's comprehensive support system for disabled athletes and called for similar programs in India.

The NPRD also highlighted the importance of promoting parasports in schools and educational institutions and urged equal recognition, rewards, and media coverage for para-athletes. They called for dismantling the 'political-bureaucratic nexus' controlling disability sports in India, advocating for a more transparent and democratic system to empower athletes.

The calls for change come as India’s para-athletes are enjoying unprecedented success, but activists assert that long-term progress hinges on sustained investment and structural reforms.