Yogesh Kathuniya Calls for Greater Recognition of Para-Athletes
Para-athlete Yogesh Kathuniya expressed his disappointment over the lack of enthusiasm in welcoming para-athletes back to India after their record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics. The Indian team achieved a historic 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes, surpassing their previous record of 19 medals from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Despite this success, Kathuniya noted the need for increased awareness and inclusiveness for para-athletes in society.
Yogesh Kathuniya’s Performance
Kathuniya won a silver medal in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 final with a throw of 42.22m. Although he was well-prepared, he felt it wasn’t his day to win gold. He expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for their support.
Meeting with Prime Minister Modi
After returning from Paris, the Indian Paralympic team met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kathuniya praised PM Modi for his contributions to the growth of para-sports, noting the increased visibility and support since 2014. However, he acknowledged that more work is needed to address existing shortcomings.
Doubts Revealed
Para-athlete -: A para-athlete is a person with a physical disability who competes in sports. They participate in events like the Paralympics, which are similar to the Olympics but for athletes with disabilities.
Paralympics -: The Paralympics is a major international sports event for athletes with disabilities. It happens every four years, just like the Olympics, and includes various sports competitions.
Discus throw -: Discus throw is a sport where athletes throw a heavy disc, called a discus, as far as they can. It is one of the events in athletics competitions, including the Paralympics.
Sports Authority of India -: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is an organization that helps develop sports in India. It provides support and training to athletes, including para-athletes, to help them perform better in competitions.
Paralympic Committee of India -: The Paralympic Committee of India is an organization that manages and supports Indian para-athletes. It helps them participate in international events like the Paralympics.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the country and has shown support for sports, including para-sports, to help them grow and gain recognition.
