Devendra Jhajharia, president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), is optimistic about the financial growth of para-athletes in India.
The Paralympics medalist was on the sidelines during the ongoing 23rd National Para Athletics Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai when Paris Paralympics medalists like Navdeep Singh and Hokato Sema stood on the podium.
Most para-athletes who are turning Paralympians come from rural backgrounds and face financial challenges. The introduction of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme has taken care of their training and finance.
“Around 80 per cent of our para-athletes come from the rural areas. They are not from an economically sound background. The TOPS is a scheme that is helping the athletes not just with their training needs but the stipend of `50,000 is also helping them to take care of the family,” he was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express, adding, “Now the para-athletes can choose where they want to train whether in India or abroad.”
Para-athletes expect government jobs after securing a medal at the National Championships. However, motivating parents is not always easy, believes Jhajharia.
“We tell the parents that results are coming and the player will do well and eventually will get a job or can earn some money. We have to tell them they can play for India. Parents usually agree after that,” he said.
And the grassroots remain a core area of focus. “We have to take training to the grassroots because sometimes parents are not confident to leave their children alone,” he said. “There are programmes to address this as well. We are providing facilities there so that by 2028, 2032, 2036 and beyond we will be able to win more medals for the country. We have to concentrate on 15-16 year old players so that they give us results in the next 10-15 years. But we have to work now.”
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