Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitates paralympic athletes.

The Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Minister of State, Ms. Raksha Khadse, felicitated a big batch of athletes, coaches and support staff, who returned from the Paralympics in Paris on Saturday.

Rifle shooter Avani Lekhara who has won gold medals in back to back Paralympics in Tokyo and Paris was the star attraction.

Congratulating the athletes and commending their performance, the Sports Minister said that “some returned with medals, and others gained valuable experience”.

The 84-member Indian contingent finished with the best ever performance of seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals. The total of 29 medals proved the assessment of the president of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), double Paralympic gold medallist Devendra Jhajaria, who had said that India would win more than 25 medals and place in the top-20.

India placed 18th among the 79 countries that won medals.

“Let us build on these experiences and continue to move forward with determination, always aiming for the gold”, the Sports Minister said.

The Minister reiterated the government’s stand to ensure international-standard training facilities apart from best support for athletes and coaches.