Para Athlete Manjunath Advocates for Opportunities Over Sympathy
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Synopsis
Para athlete Manjunath L Hindu emphasized the need for accessibility in sports facilities during the Khelo India Para Games 2025. He advocates for opportunities rather than sympathy, calling for improvements across stadiums in India to support athletes with disabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Accessibility at sports venues is crucial for differently abled athletes.
- Improvements in infrastructure can enhance athlete performance.
- Svayam launched a Sports Accessibility Handbook to guide inclusive design.
- Collaboration with organizations like Svayam leads to better facilities.
- Opportunities for athletes should take precedence over sympathy.
New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) Para athlete Manjunath L Hindu, who took part in the Khelo India Para Games 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, praised the venue in the capital for its remarkable accessibility features available for differently abled athletes, while advocating for similar enhancements nationwide.
“The accessibility at the JLN Stadium is commendable. However, there are areas needing attention; for instance, some individuals with spinal injuries faced difficulties accessing the bathrooms, so I urge you to make improvements there. Overall, in most other aspects, the stadium is fully accessible and offers great support,” Manjunath stated in an interview with IANS.
“Every stadium should be inclusive for differently abled individuals. Improvements in ramps, restrooms, and ground access are essential across all venues. We do not seek sympathy; we only request opportunities. Our aim is to excel and secure numerous medals for the country,” he added.
The prominent accessibility organization Svayam celebrated World Accessibility Day by unveiling a Sports Accessibility Handbook during the closing ceremony of the Khelo India Para Games at Indira Gandhi Stadium on Thursday. This handbook, crafted through an extensive analysis of national and international accessibility standards, provides practical recommendations for the design, retrofitting, and execution of inclusive sports facilities.
It references key frameworks such as the Harmonised Guidelines for Universal Accessibility (2021), guidelines from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for accessible airports, and guidelines for sports complexes and residential facilities tailored for athletes with disabilities. Additionally, it incorporates insights from healthcare facility accessibility standards and the National Building Code (2016), along with guidelines emphasizing accessibility and usability parameters. Various global best practices were also examined to address infrastructural shortcomings and create genuinely inclusive sporting environments.
Dolly Gola, a silver medalist at KIPG 2025 and a national record holder in the discus throw F54, commended Svayam for their initiatives, asserting that improved infrastructure will enable young athletes to thrive without concerns about other challenges.
“The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is accessible to all athletes, including those with significant challenges. I extend my gratitude to Svayam; their collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India has undoubtedly enhanced the infrastructure. With better facilities, athletes can concentrate on their practice, minimizing worries and avoiding injuries,” Dolly shared with IANS.
