The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship: An Overview
The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship, which took place from February 17th to 20th, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, showcased a magnificent congregation of talent. Conducted under the auspices of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association (TNPSA), the championship saw 1,476 para-athletes from 30 states and union territories compete in 155 events. Notable persons attended, including PCI President Devendra Jhajharia and TNPSA President Chandrasekar Rajan. The championship went smoothly thanks to their efforts and unflinching support from the Tamil Nadu government, especially Deputy Chief Minister and State Minister for Sports Udhayanidhi Stalin.Haryana's Dominance: A Testament to Excellence
The Haryana athletes performed outstandingly, bagging 106 medals, including 49 gold, 32 silver, and 25 bronze. Haryana made this superb achievement by bringing home the overall trophy of the championship, which is a true reflection of the state's dedication to honing the athletic talent of persons with disabilities.Key Performances by Haryana Athletes
- Men's Discus Throw F37: Haryana got a clean sweep in this category. Bhavishay tossed a 44.27m to take gold, edging out Haney, who got silver with a 44.13m throw. The bronze went to Ankit, who completed the podium.
- Men's Discus Throw F51: Dharambir of Haryana won the gold medal with the best throw of 10.91 meters.
- Club Throw F32/F51 Event: Defending world champion Ekta Bhyan maintained her supremacy as she pegged a throw of 20.14m to clinch gold. Many aspiring para-athletes look up to her for her sheer spirit of excellence.
- Men's Long Jump T45/T46/T47 Finals: Haryana's Vikas, with a jump of 6.75 meters, edged over the bar and was declared the winner on narrow margins against his competitors.
- Men's Shot Put F37 Category: Manu of Haryana won a medal at the top and excelled by throwing 12.17 meters weight and lifting the gold medal.
- Men's 400m T11 category: Madan from Haryana won the gold medal with a timing of 57.16s.
- Men's 400m T13 race: Ashish finished with 54.35 seconds, giving Haryana another gold and showcasing the state’s dominance in track events.
Haryana Leading the Way in Para Sports
The number of medals won by Haryana athletes at the National Para Athletics Championship is proof of the state's far-sighted sports policies and infrastructure development. Haryana's Chief Minister has always favoured the cause of sportsmen and players with incapacity and ensured the availability of world-class training services, teaching, and financial assistance. Programs like specialised coaching camps, grassroots-level talent identification, and financial incentives have generated conditions for the success and growth of para-athletes. The state’s sports policy has provisions for:- Financial Support: Athletes are motivated to perform well in national and international competitions, with scholarships and cash awards for the medal winners.
- Infrastructure Development: Establishing advanced training centres with facilities suited to para-athletes enables them to train by global norms.
- Inclusive Policies: Promoting inclusion of para-athletes in mainstream sports events and granting them platforms to display their talent.
The Road Ahead
These performances at the 23rd National Para Athletics Championship prepare the ground for the forthcoming journey in British Para Sports. Advancing this momentum requires a multidimensional strategy:-
Improve Grassroots Development
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Strengthening Coaching and Support Systems
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Promoting Public Awareness and Inclusivity
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Expanding Infrastructure
