SAI National Centres of Excellence to Induct 200 Para Athletes: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur
Aimed at promoting inclusivity and providing specialised training to para athletes in the country, the government has decided to induct 200 such athletes, including 97 women, across 10 disciplines in the SAI National Centres of Excellence, Sports Anurag Singh Thakur announced on Tuesday.
Out of 200 athletes, 68 (35 males, 33 females) will be archers and 36 (18, 18) will be in athletics.
Cycling will also have 10 male and as many female athletes.
Thakur said the success of the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi was a significant step towards providing equal opportunities to all athletes.
“This initiative of inducting 200 Para Sport athletes in NCOEs will give further momentum to the evolution of para sports within the sports ecosystem,” he said.
“The NCOEs will have expert coaches and be equipped with enhanced facilities.”
India had returned with its best hauls from both the most recent Paralympic Games and Asian Para Games.
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