Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said the upcoming Khelo India Para Games will provide the para athletes a level playing field and help them become part of the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
The inaugural Khelo India will be held here from December 10 to 17.
“Khelo India is no more a scheme, it has become a revolution. If you look at all the Khelo India Games, be it Khelo India Youth Games or Winter Games, it has given us a whole lot of athletes,” Thakur said during the launch of mascot and logo for the event.
Delighted to unveil the logo and mascot of the inaugural edition of the #KheloIndia Para-Games beginning from 11th November in New Delhi.Khelo India has proven to be a game-changer and played a pivotal role in promoting sports and taking it up as a career.
The resounding… pic.twitter.com/ulMHgjeEoa
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) November 26, 2023
“Now we are starting Khelo India Para Games so that para athletes get a national level platform, where they can show their potential and be a part of the TOPS,” he said.
“300 athletes and support staff will participate in the tournament,” he added.
Thakur said the government doesn’t differentiate between able-bodied and para athletes.
“There is no difference between para athletes and able-bodied athletes under this government. Whatever facilities the able-bodied athletes are getting, the same facilities para athletes are getting,” he said.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)