PM Modi to open World Para Athletics Championships; Mondo track at JLN stadium to be ready in one month

Time of India

4 days ago

PM Narendra Modi (PTI Photo)
The Paralympic Committee of India confirms that preparations for the World Para Athletics Championships are progressing on schedule. The Mondo tracks installation at both the competition and training venues is expected to be completed by September 1.
The global para athletics event will be hosted for the first time in India from September 27 to October 5 at the
Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium in New Delhi. The tracks at both the main arena and adjacent training venue are being relaid specifically for these championships.
"We have completed 95% work of Mondo track laying inside main stadium as well as training area. Laying the base takes a lot of time, topping the base with Mondo does not take much time," Jhajharia told PTI in an interview.
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"Work on the base is completed, laying of Mondo on top has started. Everything will be completed by September 1."
"Preparations for other things like transportation and accommodation of athletes, their escorts and officials, and other logistics have been according to schedule. Our aim is to host a hugely successful championships in all aspects and strengthen India's bid for 2036 Olympics and Paralympics."
Regarding track certification, Jhajharia addressed the timeline for World Athletics approval.
"World Athletics experts will come as soon as laying of the track is completed. It should not take much time (to get the certification). There is a lot of time between September 1 and September 27. Having Mondo tracks both in competition and training area is a big thing. Our athletes -- both able-bodied and para -- will now be able to train and compete on Mondo tracks which is widely used now," Jhajharia added.
The organizing committee has made extensive arrangements for para-friendly facilities at the event.
"We have contracted the DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation), they will give us around 100 para-friendly buses. The buses will be para-friendly, the wheelchair person will go inside. At the JLN stadium, there will huge number of wheelchairs available. There will also be space earmarked to accommodate 500 wheelchairs at the stands.
The biggest message will be that the championships is a para-friendly event. We are trying to provide the best facilities to the athletes, their escorts and officials.
"
The New Delhi championships has received confirmation from 107 countries, marking the highest participation in the event's history. Major para athletics nations including China, Brazil, and Great Britain will be participating.
The previous edition in Kobe, Japan saw 1073 athletes from 103 countries competing in 2024.
"107 countries have given us confirmation. So this is the highest ever in a World Para Athletics Championships in terms of number of countries taking part. All the top countries in para athletics like China, Brazil, Great Britain are taking part. In terms of total number of athletes, I am thinking that this will also be the highest but I cannot confirm now because Tuesday (August 12) is the deadline for sending entries to us.
We have received entries from more than 75% countries but the total number will be known only after the deadline."
India plans to field its largest contingent ever as the host nation. The country had sent approximately 40 athletes to the previous edition in Japan.
"Yes, absolutely, we will field our largest ever contingent. The final trial has been done and selection will be done very soon. The number of our athletes should be around 100."
The Paralympic Committee of India has extended an invitation to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
for the opening ceremony.
"We are hoping that the Honourable Prime Minister will open the championships. We have sent a request letter to him and we are waiting for his answer. PM Modi has been a great support for para sports and para athletes. His support and encouragement before, during and after major events like the Paralympics, Para Asian Games and World Championships have been a source of strength and motivation for para athletes."
India aims to surpass its previous performance of 17 medals from the Japan championships.
"Our performance is getting better every Paralympics and World Championships. We will win more than 17 medals in Delhi. We are targeting a top-5 finish as against the sixth spot in Japan last year."
Athletes are preparing at various locations across India and abroad.
"Our players are preparing well, in Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Sonipat and even abroad. The government and the PCI have provided whatever is required for them. We want to give freedom to the athletes, so that they can give good results. We let them stay and train wherever they want. Sumit is currently training in Sonepat (SAI Centre) and we expect him to win gold in front of the home crowd. I am even hoping him to break the world record.
"
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