Bhubaneswar: The 24th National Para Athletics Championship concluded on a high note at Kalinga Stadium on Saturday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi lauding the spirit and determination of para-athletes from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister felicitated the winners and encouraged all participants to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence. “Defeat and victory come in every athlete’s life, but the true winners are those who overcome real-life struggles. You have turned your weaknesses into strengths,” he said.
Majhi urged athletes to bring glory to the nation at upcoming international events, including the Asian Para Games, and congratulated the 40-member Odisha contingent for their performance. He called upon them to draw inspiration from celebrated para-athletes like Pramod Bhagat and V. Ramesh Rao, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and dedication.
Highlighting Odisha’s growing stature in global sports, the Chief Minister noted that the state is set to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028, terming it a significant opportunity to further elevate its sporting profile. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure, talent identification, and training ecosystems, while acknowledging the support of Narendra Modi in advancing sports development.
A total of 1,460 para-athletes from 28 states participated in the championship. Haryana emerged as the overall champion with 95 medals, followed by Tamil Nadu with 51 medals and Gujarat with 30 medals.
Odisha delivered a commendable performance, securing 17 medals, including five golds.
Several dignitaries, including Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Sports Department Secretary Sachin R. Yadav, and officials from the Paralympic and para sports bodies, were present at the closing ceremony.
