Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi graced the closing ceremony of the 24th National Para Athletics Championship held today at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Secretary Sports, Shri Sachin R. Jadhav, Paralympic Committee General Secretary Shri Jaywant G.H., Para Athletics President Shri Satyanarayan, and Para Sports Association of Odisha Chairman Shri Kamalakanta Rath, among other dignitaries graced the occasion.
During the event, the Chief Minister presented awards to the winning athletes and encouraged them to maintain their hard work and dedication in future competitions.
Addressing the participants, Chief Minister Shri Majhi remarked that while winning and losing are inherent parts of any sport, the para-athletes are true winners for overcoming life’s struggles and transforming their weaknesses into strengths. He exhorted the athletes to bring glory to the nation in the upcoming Asian Para Games and extended special congratulations to the 40-member Odisha contingent.
Highlighting the journey of sporting excellence, the Chief Minister urged the athletes to follow in the footsteps of legends like Olympic medalist Pramod Bhagat and V. Ramesh Rao. He expressed confidence that success awaits them and emphasized that no obstacle can stop their progress. He specifically urged the successful Odia medalists to continue their efforts and showcase Odisha’s talent on the global stage.
The Chief Minister noted that Odisha has established itself as a prominent destination on the world sports map. He highlighted a significant upcoming opportunity, mentioning that Bhubaneswar is set to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to developing infrastructure, identifying talent, providing elite training, and hosting international events. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his consistent support in developing sports across India and Odisha.
The championship saw participation from 1,460 para-athletes representing 28 states. On the final day, the Chief Minister honored the top-performing states. Haryana clinched the top spot with 95 medals, followed by Tamil Nadu in second place with 51 medals, and Gujarat in third with 30 medals. The host state, Odisha, delivered a strong performance, securing a total of 17 medals, including 5 gold medals.