Did PCI Director Satyanarayan Become President of the Newly Formed South Asian Para Sports Federation?

New Delhi, July 12 (NationPress) In a significant move to enhance, consolidate, and unify the para sports framework throughout South Asia, delegates from various member nations convened to establish the South Asian Para Sports Federation (SAPSF), officially inaugurated on Saturday. The governing committee for this newly formed organization was also elected on the same day.

This pivotal formation took place with the presence of official delegates from India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives, signaling the dawn of a collaborative era in the region. The meeting was also attended by Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India. The Federation aims to create a structured and cohesive platform for para-athletes, emphasizing infrastructure development, athlete support systems, resource sharing, and, ultimately, the initiation of the South Asian Para Games.

With the establishment of the SAPSF, South Asia is taking a decisive, unified stride toward becoming a global front-runner in para sports. The Federation envisions a future where para-athletes are empowered with opportunities, united by a common goal, and backed by a regional network devoted to excellence and equity.

The leadership of the Federation will be spearheaded by Satya Babu (K.R. Satyanarayan) from India, Director of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), who has been elected as the President. Ahmed Mohamed from the Maldives, Secretary General of NPC Maldives, will take on the role of Secretary General.

Jaywant Gundu Hammannavar, Secretary General of PCI, has been designated as Treasurer, while Vice Presidents include Thushan Deepal Hearth Lekam Ralalage of Sri Lanka, President of the Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee, and Om Nath Shiwakoti of Nepal, Treasurer of NPC Nepal. Additionally, Rajitha Ampemotti from Sri Lanka will serve as the Athlete Representative.

Expanding the leadership framework, Chencho of NPC Bhutan has been appointed as a Committee Member, and Dr. Deepa Malik, Padma Shri and Paralympic medallist, has been included by default in her capacity as the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) Representative, as announced in a release on Saturday.

Satyanarayana from NPC India has also been designated as the Senior Chief Advisor, while Dr. Manish Rana of NPC India will function as the Joint Secretary to SAPSF, acknowledging his crucial role in the formation and future vision of the federation.

Upon his election as the inaugural President, Satya Babu expressed his joy, stating, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with this role at such a vital juncture for para sports in our region.” He further remarked, “Our objective is to mirror the spirit of the South Asian Games, but exclusively for para athletes. This represents a major leap toward creating world-class training and competitive platforms across the region. With SAPSF, we intend to unveil new avenues for athletes to thrive and excel.”

Ahmed Mohamed, Secretary General of SAPSF, highlighted the significance of inclusivity and broadened access. “Numerous athletes in South Asia have faced restrictions in accessing international competitions. This initiative opens avenues for classification, training, and exposure. We extend our gratitude to the Paralympic Committee of India for propelling this forward.”

Vice President Thushan Ralalage of Sri Lanka underscored the necessity for long-term athlete development. “This is not merely about medals—it’s about cultivating an ecosystem that bolsters para-athletes at every level through educational, training, and classification programs.”

Om Nath Shiwakoti of Nepal, also a Vice President, spoke about the urgent need for shared resources. “Countries like Nepal are lacking the infrastructure that India possesses. Through SAPSF, we can bridge that disparity and foster regional strength by leveraging each other’s capabilities.”

Sonam Karma Tshering, Secretary General of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, welcomed this initiative, stating, “We’ve never had the opportunity to genuinely collaborate as a region. With SAPSF, we can now establish a unified event calendar, exchange knowledge, and support each other’s growth.”