India will double its medal tally in Paris Paralympics: Pramod Bhagat

New Delhi, Oct 08 (PTI): Tokyo Paralympics gold-medallist shuttler Pramod Bhagat on Friday said he is confident that India will double its medal count at the prestigious multi-sport event in Paris, which is just three years away.
India had returned with its best-ever performance from the Tokyo Paralympics, winning 19 medals — five gold, eight silver, six bronze. The country’s previous best tally at one edition of the Paralympic Games was four. “I am confident that the medal tally will double (in Paris in 2024),” said the three-time world champion Bhagat, who claimed the yellow metal in the men’s singles SL3 class, during a panel discussion at ‘India Today Conclave’.
“Our Prime Minister is fully supportive of the athletes. The PCI is taking care of its athletes well, if the PM is with us and the facilities are being given, it is possible….” Bhagat, who had contracted polio when he was 4 years old, picked up the sports after watching his neighbours play. Initially, he competed against able-bodied players before getting into competitive para badminton in 2006.
“The struggles in life teach us a lot and what we can achieve,” the world no 1 Bhagat said. “It is important how much confidence we have and not how much we train or play….It is important how you make up your mind and move forward.”
Suhas Yathiraj, India’s first-ever IAS officer to win a medal at the Paralympics, described Tokyo Paralympics as a watershed moment, saying it can provide a big boost to para sports just like winning the 1983 World Cup did to cricket in the country.
Yathiraj had claimed the silver in the men’s singles SL4 class badminton event at Tokyo.
“1983 was a watershed moment for Indian cricket when Kapil dev lifted the world cup. Similarly, 2020 Tokyo is a watershed moment for Indian paralympics. You will see a sea change in attitude,” Yathiraj, the Noida District Magistrate, said.