Paralympic athletes get sponsorship boost ahead of Rio Games

Fifteen emerging and elite para athletes including Rio Paralym-pic Games-bound Amit Saroha and Devendra Jhajharia will get external support for the preparations for the Rio Games.

Induslnd Bank under its non-banking sports vertical ‘IndusInd For Sports’ has launched a para champions programme — IndusInd Umang, for differently-abled sportspersons. The programme will provide a series of support systems to encourage emerging and elite para-athletes, who have overcome challenges and excelled in their chosen sport against all adversity.

Jhajharia won gold at the first Paralympic Games in 2004 in Athens in the javelin throw with a record distance of 62.15m and he is looking to repeat the same at Rio.

“There is no reason why we can’t do well at the Olympics. The support has boosted our morale and we are looking to better our previous performances,” an emotional Jhajharia said.

Saroha won gold in the discus and silver in the club throw at the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia Oceania Championships and is one of India’s top medal prospects for the 2016 Para Games in Rio.

Para swimmer Suyash Jadhav, also among the 15 athletes, has already breached the ‘A’ qualification mark for the Paralympics this year.

The 45-year-old Deepa Malik spoke about her inspirational story, how she faced society in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with a spinal tumour. “I wanted to do something and carry on with my dreams. Sports allowed me to be physically fit and it is good for para-athletes to get some support.”