New Delhi: India will send its largest ever contingent of athletes at Paris Paralympics who will be supported by an even bigger number of officials to address the ‘special needs’ of the differently-abled players.
A total of 84 athletes will travel to Paris for the event that begins on August 28 and they will be supported by a team of 95 officials as many players will have their personal coaches and escorts by their sides, bringing the total strength of the contingent to 179 members.
Seventy seven among the 95 are team team officials, while nine are medical personnel and the remaining nine are contingent officials.
The largest ever squad of 84 athletes will compete in 12 sports, up from 54 in nine sporting disciplines that took part in Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.
“Considering the special needs of some para athletes, personal coaches have been included in the contingent. However, they will provide necessary services to other players as per the directions of the Chef de Mission/team head coach,” the Sports ministry said in a statement.
“The participation of the entire contingent (including sportspersons, contingent officials, coaches) except that of Chef de Mission and one team manager for para badminton will be at cost to government.”
All eyes in Sumit Antil, Avani Lekhara
Javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara, gold medallist at Tokyo, will aim to defend their titles and have travelled with their personal coaches.
“In any para sports event, the participants need more support staff like personal coaches and escorts than able-bodied competitors. So, it is nothing new to have more support staff in para sports,” a team official said told PTI.
Out of the 84 Para-athletes, 38 are part of the athletics team, which also has most number of personal coaches and escorts.
Most members of the contingent will get $50 per day allowance as per requirement and actual period of stay during the Games. It includes acclimatisation and training period plus two days to and fro journey time.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia has already left for Paris and will be staying outside the Games Village, along with some other officials.
India claimed 19 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze) at Tokyo Paralympics, the country’s highest tally, and aim to win over 25 medals at Paris, including at least 10 gold.
A total of 84 Indian athletes will travel for Paris Paralympics and they will be supported by a team of 95 officials Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
