Ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024, Olympic bronze medallist and member of the Hockey World Cup-winning team and Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) Vice-Chairman Ashok Dhyanchand, Asian Games gold medallist and former world No.1 double trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi, Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Akhil Kumar, Asian Games gold medallist archer Abhishek Verma, two-time Paralympics javelin throw champion Devendra Jhajharia and Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya participated in an interactive session to discuss India’s preparations for the multisport event at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium here. The event was organised by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Speaking about the event, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, “New age India has made a lot of progress, but this is just the beginning. By 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, we aspire to be the leader in sports in the world and therefore, it is important to have detailed discussions at such forums. The journalists covering these games are also responsible for capturing the emotions that an athlete goes through when they win a medal or represent the country at this stage. I wish our athletes all the best for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics and I am sure they will make our country proud.”
Devendra Jhajharia, who is also the President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), said, “In 2004 when I went to the Athens Paralympics, I spent money from my own pocket. I went and won a gold medal and also broke the world record. Since then Indian sports have progressed a lot. After not participating in the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, I came back in the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a gold medal. Now as the President of PCI, I am 100 per cent sure that we will do very well in both Olympics and Paralympics. Our target is to cross the 25 medal mark this time. Our slogan is ‘Abki Baar, 25 Paar’. Devendra Jhajharia has been awarded the Power Corridor Indian Achievers Award for outstanding contribution to Paralympics.
On this occasion, DSJA President Abhishek said, “I am happy to be in the presence of such eminent dignitaries as we celebrate and discuss the preparations of our athletes ahead of the Paris Olympics. The support of Delhi Sports Journalists Association and Sports Authority of India is special and I would also like to thank the Hon’ble Sports Minister for joining us at such a short notice. The gold medal won by Neeraj Chopra is a step in the right direction and now we have to maintain that momentum and improve our performance at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.”
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DSJA Secretary Sabi Hussain agreed, saying, “Winning medals brings a lot of emotions not only for the athletes, but for the entire nation. The Indian athletes travelling to Paris are all set to make our country proud and as journalists responsible for covering the event, we are looking forward to seeing them on the podium with the national flag. We are confident that our athletes will achieve the best ever medal haul in Paris.”
On the occasion, Dr Mandaviya also launched a booklet titled ‘Pathway to Paris’, which highlights the path to Olympics 2024 for the Indian contingent. 117 athletes from India will be travelling to Paris, where the Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11. The Paralympic Games will be held from August 28 to September 8.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya was also present on the occasion. He was accompanied by Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Sandip Pradhan, DSJA President Abhishek Tripathi and Secretary Sabi Hussain and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO Commodore PK Garg. DSJA Executive Committee members were also present on the occasion.
