India’s Paralympians have returned home with a record-breaking medal haul from the Paris Paralympics. The first batch of athletes, including bronze medalist Deepthi Jeevanji, were felicitated by Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. India has already secured 24 medals, surpassing its previous best, with five gold medals already in the bag. This accomplishment puts India on track to surpass its target of 25 medals, as predicted by Paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajaria, the president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). The Sports Minister expressed his admiration for the athletes’ determination and resilience. He highlighted that sports transcends winning medals, emphasizing the athletes’ inspiration for millions of young Indians. Deepthi Jeevanji, a world champion and Asian Para Games gold medalist, expressed her delight at winning a medal on her Paralympic debut but vowed to aim for gold in future competitions.
Beyond the Paralympics, young Indian athletes are making their mark on the international sporting scene. In the 63rd Subroto Cup junior boys football tournament, Lord Krishna Senior Secondary School from Haryana secured a spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Tripura Sports School. The tournament features teams from across India and neighboring countries. Meanwhile, Sriram Balaji, a rising tennis star, advanced to the semifinals of the Seville Challenger tournament in Spain. He teamed up with Argentinian player Guido Andreozzi to secure a victory in the doubles quarterfinals. The tournament showcases some of the world’s best tennis talent.
In further tennis news, Indian players Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe progressed to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Challenger doubles tournament, while Siddhant Banthia and Bruno Navarro competed in the Cassis Challenger in France. On the football front, Punjab FC announced the signing of defender Likmabam Rakesh Singh on a one-year loan from Kerala Blasters. This move adds depth to Punjab FC’s defense as they prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is optimistic about Rakesh’s potential, highlighting his energy and pace as valuable assets for the team.
