PM Modi meets Paralympic players, expresses hope for more than 40 medals in 2028

New Delhi| Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Indian players participating in the Paris Paralympics. After the meeting, the players told that PM Modi congratulated them on their good performance and wished them all the best for the future. The players said that more than 40 medals were fully expected at the 2028 Paralympic Games. The Indian Paralympic contingent in Paris has achieved its best ever performance, winning 29 medals. To encourage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Paralympic players on Thursday and set a target to perform better in the next Paralympics.

In the javelin throw competition at the Paralympics, Navdeep Saini won the gold medal by throwing the javelin a record 47.32 meters away. Speaking to IANS after meeting Prime Minister Modi, he said, “The timing during the throw was good, due to which he got the medal”. After this I got a lot of support from everyone. The Prime Minister has also congratulated us and extended his best wishes for what lies ahead.”

Nitesh Kumar, who won the gold medal in Mains SL 3 Single Para Badminton, said, “I spoke to the Prime Minister through virtual medium before going to the Paralympics”. He told us that the little things you would need in Paris would be taken full care of and it happened. Coming back today, he praised our achievements.”

Regarding the preparations for the next Paralympics, Nitesh said that at present everyone is enjoying their achievements. He said that para sports is progressing a lot in India. There is a lot of support from the government and private sector. Accordingly, it is expected that more than 40 medals will come in the next Paralympics.

Para archer Harvinder Singh, resident of Karnal, has won the gold medal in Paris. He said that it is a matter of great pride to meet the PM. He congratulated all of us players. Also said that those who could not win medals should not accept defeat. He informed that PM Modi asked to start preparations for the 2028 Paralympics. Harvinder said that according to the performance in this tournament, we will win at least 40 to 50 medals in the 2028 Paralympics.

Sheetal Devi, who won the bronze medal in the mixed compound archery event, said, “This was my first Paralympic in which I got a bronze medal”. Prime Minister Modi praised all of us. We feel happy meeting him. I’ve visited him again.” At the Paris Paralympics, India won a total of 29 medals with seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals. India finished 18th in the medal table. The contingent has broken the record of its best medals set by India at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics (total medals 19).