New Delhi, Sep 25 (NationPress) On a momentous occasion for Indian sports, with Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya officially inaugurating the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the hosting of the World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) 2025 will solidify India's reputation as a “sporting and inclusive” nation globally. The inaugural ceremony took place at the renowned Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday evening.

In a heartfelt message to approximately 2,200 athletes from 100 countries, PM Modi remarked: “Para-athletes are breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks, significantly enhancing India’s image as an emerging sports hub, inspiring millions to adopt sports as a lifestyle.”

India now stands as the fourth Asian country to host the World Para Athletics Championships, following Qatar (2015), UAE (2019), and Japan (2024). The event is organized by the Paralympics Committee of India.

Expressing pride in hosting WPAC 2025, PM Modi stated: “Sports have a unique ability to unite people, overcoming divides of religion, region, and nationality. It is crucial to highlight this unifying power of sports in today’s world, and I believe the WPAC will have a profound effect on both participants and spectators.”

The vibrant opening ceremony was graced by various dignitaries including the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, Member of Parliament, Kangana Ranaut, Delhi's Education Minister, Ashish Sood, and Paul Fitzgerald, head of World Para Athletics.

The WPAC will mark the inaugural event on the newly installed Mondo track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was inaugurated by Dr Mandaviya on August 29, celebrated as National Sports Day. On the same day, Dr Mandaviya also unveiled a Mondo warm-up track and a multi-speciality gymnasium that can accommodate over 200 athletes for training simultaneously.

Dr Mandaviya noted, “This World Para Athletics Championships represents pride, progress, and purpose for India. We have assembled our largest-ever para contingent of 74 athletes, showcasing the deep-rooted nature of para-sports in the country. Champions such as Sumit Antil, Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Dharambir Nain, and Praveen Kumar will compete on home soil.”

The WPAC competitions commence on September 27, with a total of 186 gold medals available. Mr Fitzgerald remarked:

“Spectators in the stadium and a global audience will witness the extraordinary talents of athletes competing in state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance their skills, speed, and strength. Yes, world records will be shattered, and world champions will emerge. However, not every athlete will fulfill their dream of standing on the podium with their national anthem playing. There will be numerous victories and disappointments. I invite everyone to share in the full emotional experience alongside the athletes.”

Hosting the WPAC forms part of India’s strategy to regularly welcome global events and demonstrate its capability to organize larger multi-sport championships.

Dr Mandaviya expressed, “We are currently planning for the Commonwealth Games 2030, with aspirations to host the Olympic Games in 2036, which will significantly enhance infrastructure, opportunities, and the sporting aspirations of countless youth. As the Prime Minister has stated, “Sport not only produces champions; it also fosters peace, progress, and wellness.” This principle guides our sporting journey.

He also highlighted the capacity-building aspect of the WPAC. “Beyond infrastructure and ambition lies a more profound legacy: a transformed mindset. We will establish accessible venues, stronger support systems for para-athletes, and initiate a renewed national dialogue on equal opportunities in sports. These outcomes will endure long after the medals are awarded.”

India’s elite athletes, many of whom are Paralympic medalists and world champions in their respective fields, will benefit from the home advantage at the Nehru Stadium. In Kobe, Japan, India achieved its best-ever performance at a World Para Athletics Championships, securing 17 medals — six gold, five silver, and six bronze — finishing sixth overall. In the 2023 edition held in Paris, India set a new record by clinching 10 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze), paving the way for future successes.

On this occasion, PM Modi praised India’s growing prowess in para sports: “The astounding achievements of para athletes have redefined resilience and determination, inspiring both athletes and everyday individuals globally. Their success has sparked a collective belief that no obstacle is insurmountable.”