SBI-PCI joint venture augurs well for the future of paralympic movement in India

New Delhi : Teenage Tokyo Paralympians Manish Narwal and Kashish Lakra are among 30 promising youngsters selected for the State Bank of India (SBI) Foundation scheme that aims to nurture para-athlete for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games as well as other top international Para Sport competitions like 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

Haryana’s 19 years old Manish won gold in the P4 mixed 50m pistol SH1 event at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

While Delhi’s 18 years old wheelchair-bound Kashish competed in the women’s club throw (F51 category) event at the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games held last year in Japan. The CSR project includes para athletes from across the nation, including the North East states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

The three years agreement between the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and SBI Foundation is expected to benefit para-athletes from various disciplines, including archery, athletics, shooting and swimming.

Under the SBI-PCI joint agreement all 30 selected para-athlete will receive a monthly scholarship. According to PCI team management, the pocket allowance will enable aspiring para- athletes to financially support themselves, afford required nutrition, purchase specialised para sports equipment and take consultancy of high performance coaches.

Punjab’s 19 years old para-badminton player Palak Kohli has also been shortlisted for the future development project of the PCI. Palak, who competes in the SU5 category, has been consistent since 2019 at the international level.
Last year the promising teenager made her debut at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in three events, including women’s singles (SU5 category). It was a different matter, the podium finish eluded her.
India’s Paralympic contingent at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games held last year won as many as 19 medals, five of them gold. The overall performance was the outcome of hard-work done by India's para-athletes.
“Post Tokyo Paralympic Games there has been a major shift in supporting para-athletes in India. We hope the SBI-PCI project will further give fillip to the paralympic movement in India,” PCI team management said.