The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Indian Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to provide opportunities for wounded soldiers to participate in Para sport.
Lieutenant General Ravin Khosla, deputy chief of army staff of Indian Army, joined PCI President Deepa Malik were both present for the signing of the document.
It is hoped that the MoU will help to rehabilitate soldiers who have sustained severe injuries in the line of duty.
“This is a great initiative,” said Khosla in a report by the Hindustan Times.
“It is a natural progression for armed forces personnel who by nature are disciplined.
“For those who, while performing different duties on the line of fire, have disability, there is no better way to rehabilitate them but to bring them into the fold of sport, make them Paralympians.
“The basic qualities are already there – hard work, dedication, focused approach and once they acquire skills as far as sport is concerned, we will have winners all the way.”
Malik said the signing of the MoU marked the start of a “new era” for the Indian Paralympic Movement.
“There is lot of similarity in the journeys of a soldier and a sportsperson,” said Malik.
“Both sacrifices so much in their personal life to make the country proud.
“When a soldier becomes an athlete, it is the best combination the world of sport can see.
“This partnership will help in growth of Para sports and win more international medals.”
PCI secretary general Gursharan Singh and Brigadier Dinesh Sharma, head of Mission Olympic Cell for Indian Army, signed the MoU.
“Army has some very good infrastructure for sports and it can be upgraded for Para athletes,” added Singh.
“It will help athletes from the Army and our Para sportspersons to train.
“They can train with elite Paralympians and it will be a huge learning experience for both sides.”