Delhi played host to the Khelo India Para Games from December 10th to 17, marking a historic moment in Indian sports as the first-ever edition of these games unfolded in the national capital. The event was officially inaugurated by Shri Anurag Thakur, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The opening ceremony, held at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi, was a dazzling affair attended by over 1450 participants from 32 states, Union Territories, and the Services Sports Board.
The Khelo India Para Games 2023, which aimed to provide equal opportunities for athletes regardless of their abilities, featured athletes competing in seven para sports: athletics, shooting, archery, football, badminton, table tennis, and weightlifting. The competition took place at three venues—Indira Gandhi Stadium, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, and Karni Singh Shooting Range.
The ceremony commenced with a torch relay, participated in by Shri Anurag Thakur along with para sports legends Deepa Malik, Bhavina Patel, and Sumit Antil. In a special video message, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to the participants, highlighting the significance of the event.
Addressing the participants, Shri Anurag Thakur emphasized the historic nature of the Khelo India Para Games, calling it a pivotal moment for Indian sports. He stressed the importance of the initiative in providing equal opportunities and acknowledged the efforts of over 3000 athletes and officials participating in the Games, with a total of 276 gold medals up for grabs.
Shri Nisith Parmanik, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, congratulated the efforts of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in taking Indian sports to new heights through the Khelo India program. He praised the visionary efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in changing perceptions by promoting the use of the term “Divyang” instead of “Viklang” and refraining from using the term “disabled.”
The opening ceremony featured various performances, including a captivating display by the Himachal Pradesh Police Band and a Kalbeliya dance performance by Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials. The event showcased a peppy ensemble by dance artists of the ‘We Are One’ group, illustrating para dancing.
The Games anthem set the tone for the opening ceremony, and an LED dance performance on the theme ‘Evolution of Para Games’ captivated the audience, highlighting the progress and growth of para sports.
The Khelo India Para Games underscore the central government’s commitment to empowering para athletes, aligning with various initiatives aimed at the welfare of differently-abled individuals. With competitions across multiple sports and the participation of top international para stars, including Sheetal Devi, Bhavina Patel, Ashok, and others, the inaugural Khelo India Para Games served as a platform to celebrate and promote inclusivity and excellence in para sports.
