"Separate seats will be reserved for para athletes in all 11 sports academies in the state": MP Minister Vishvas Sarang
Sep 13, 2024
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 13 : Madhya Pradesh Sport and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Sarang honoured Paris Paralympics medalist Kapil Parmar in Bhopal and announced that separate seat arrangements would be made for para athletes at sports academies in the state.
The minister said that the state government would ensure that separate seats would be reserved for the para players in all the 11 sports academies, where free training is provided to players along with boarding facilities, in the state.
Sarang honoured Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Kapil Parmar at TT Nagar stadium in the state capital. Parmar, is a resident of Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.
He created history by clinching a bronze medal at the Paralympics and becoming India's first-ever Paralympics medallist in Judo. He defeated Brazil's Elielton de Oliveira in the Men's J1 - 60 KG category to win the medal.
"It is our honour that Kapil Parmar and Rubina Francis returned to India. The most important thing is that these para athletes have taken forward the name of Madhya Pradesh in Paralympics. Kapil has created a history, he is the first player in the country to win a medal in Judo in Paralympic. Kapil got the honour to bring that medal for the nation," Minister Sarang told reporters.
"Today, we welcomed him and it is a pleasure for us that our players have fulfilled the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India proud in all the fields. It is a pride moment for Madhya Pradesh. We all are determined to upgrade sports, sportspersons and grounds. When our players make us proud across the globe then it also motivates the coming generation. Today we welcome Kapil on his arrival in Bhopal and soon Rubina will arrive here. We will keep making our continuous effort for our players to reach International platforms," he added.
Paralympic medallist Kapil Parmar said, "I feel very happy. I had huge hopes from our sports department and our sports minister Sarang and they have fulfilled it. He used to take regular updates from me. Academy director, my guru and everyone have also played a vital role in getting this medal. I lost in the semifinal match but next time I will clinch the Gold medal for the nation. I have also promised this to PM Modi as well."
Sports minister Sarang further told ANI, "Para players Kapil Parmar and Rubina have elevated the honour of Madhya Pradesh by winning medals at Paralympic. We have decided that for the upgradation of our para players we will make separate arrangements. We will ensure that separate seats will be reserved for the para players in our 11 sports academies in the state. We will also launch a talent search so that para youth can join the sports."
Indian para-shooter Rubina Francis made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by winning the bronze medal in the Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 event. Rubina, hailing from Jabalpur, not only clinched the bronze but also became the first-ever Indian woman shooter to secure a medal in the pistol category at the Paralympics.