PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The third Uttarakhand State-Level Paralympic Games will be held in Dehradun from March 27 to 29 at Maharana Pratap Sports Stadium, with participation expected from specially abled athletes from across the State.
The Paralympic Association of Uttarakhand said that the teams from all 13 districts are expected to take part in the event. Athletes will arrive on March 27, while competitions are scheduled for March 28 and 29. Events will include para-athletics, powerlifting, badminton, volleyball and table tennis, the association said. Organisers estimate that around 130 to 150 athletes will participate in this edition of the state-level games. The event is being seen as an important opportunity for district-level players to compete at a larger platform and improve their chances of selection for national-level competitions.
According to the Paralympic Association of Uttarakhand, more than 300 athletes from the State are currently associated with different para sports disciplines such as athletics, swimming, shooting, archery, fencing, winter sports and badminton. Officials said that the participation from the State has gradually increased over the years, with athletes regularly representing Uttarakhand in national events, including the Khelo India Para Games.
The event organisers said that the State-level competitions play a key role in identifying emerging talent from districts that often have limited access to specialised training facilities. They added that such events also help create awareness about opportunities available in para sports.
