PANAJI: The first day of the National Para Swimming Championship 2024 on Sunday morning commenced with great enthusiasm, showcasing the incredible talents of para-athletes from across India. Organised by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India and the Sports Authority of Goa, the event celebrates inclusivity and athletic excellence.
In the evening, the championship was inaugurated by Minister for Sports Govind Gaude in the presence of Minister for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) Subhash Phal Dessai, DEPWD Secretary E Vallavan (IAS), Former Chief Minister and MLA of Margao Digambar Kamat, SAG Executive Director, Dr Geeta Nagvekar, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs Director Arvind Khutkar, Department of Empowerment Director Varsha Naik , State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar and Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Taha Haaziq Secretary ,along with key officials from the Paralympic Committee of India, including PCI President Devendra Jhajharia, General Secretary Jaywant Singh and Dr V K Dabas.
A total of 22 events were held on the opening day, with participants competing across multiple categories including Men’s, Women’s, Junior, and Sub-Junior divisions. Events featured a variety of classifications ranging from S-4 to S-10 in both individual and freestyle formats, emphasizing both the diversity of the athletes and the high level of competition.
The championship is a significant platform for para-athletes to display their skills, with each event being keenly contested by athletes from states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and more. The championship reflects the true spirit of sport and inclusion, with each athlete showcasing immense determination and hard work.
As the competition progresses, more events are scheduled for the upcoming days, with athletes continuing to push boundaries and inspire others. The National Para Swimming Championship 2024 continues tomorrow with more exciting events lined up.