Indian para-athletes are not only aiming to better the country’s best ever show but are also aiming to surpass the 25-medal mark at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, said PCI President Devendra Jhajharia on Friday. The Indian athletes had scripted history at the delayed Tokyo Paralympics, winning as many as 19 medals, including a whopping five gold.

“This time our slogan is ‘Abki Baar 25 Paar’. We have a target of winning more than 25 medals this time. The preparation is going well. I am in touch with the athletes,” Jhajharia said during a panel discussion on India’s preparations for the Paris Olympics.

Jhajharia, a three-time Paralympic medallist, was part of the best-ever performance by Indian para athletes at Tokyo in 2021 clinching the silver in the F46 javelin throw adding to his gold at the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio editions.

The 43-year-old asserted that the para athletes are physically and mentally ready for the Paris Games and will continue the trend of doing well at marquee events as they did at the Para Asian Games last year and in the recent world championships.

“The players are not only physically but also mentally fit. They are getting all the facilities under the TOPS scheme.

“In the past 4 years, India has performed well in every event. In the world championships we were at number 5. To be 5 in the world is a huge thing.” he said.

The Paris Paralympics are scheduled to begin on August 28.

India’s first woman Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik has been named sub-regional representative for South Asia by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC). This appointment, which was confirmed during the 34th Executive Board meeting of the APC, signifies a significant step forward for gender diversity and athlete-centric leadership in para-sports. She will take up her post immediately. The former Paralympic Committee of India chief’s appointment brings the number of female representatives on the APC Executive Board to five, making it the highest female representation on the board in the history of the organization, according to a media release.

“Having more women during our Executive Board meetings is a very positive step forward, especially when one voice is of someone with the experience, skills and wisdom of Dr. Deepa Malik,” APC President Majid Rashed said.

“The APC acknowledges Dr. Deepa’s extensive experience and is confident that our members from the South Asia Sub Region will be excellently represented by you on the APC Executive Board,” he added.

Malik’s role will involve representing South Asian nations and advocating for the development and promotion of para-sports across the region.

“It is an honor and an opportunity for me to represent South Asia and be a voice for our region. India for long is a flag bearer of “Vasudev Kutumbakam” and now is also a right time to take a step forward in taking the lead in contributing to this one big family,” Malik said “It’s time for me to represent India at a bigger level and contribute in the collective growth of parasports and ‘inclusion through sports’ at large,” she added.

Malik’s appointment also aligns with the Paralympic Committee of India’s broader mission to foster excellence and inclusivity in para-sports.

“This is a defining moment for Indian Paralympics. It is the right step in the overall development of sports in this region. I wholeheartedly welcome this announcement. We will collaborate with Dr. Deepa Malik and the APC to develop para-sports across the region. PCI is truly happy that APC has shown trust in our former president and our champion player,” PCI president Devendra Jhajharia said.

This appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of the APC and the PCI, showcasing India’s leadership and commitment to the global para-sports community.