Dharambir, Preethi Pal flaunt Indias flag in colourful opening of World Para Athletics Championships

New Delhi: India showed its cultural diversity during a colourful opening ceremony to mark the inauguration of the 12th World Para Athletics Championships, the largest ever in history, in New Delhi on Thursday, September 25.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared the championships open, which will be competed by more than 2200 para athletes from 104 countries, from September 27 to October 5.

"I declare World Para Athletics 2025 open," Mandaviya said at the end of the ceremony. The inauguration was preceded by the athletes' parade and a 45-minute cultural performance.

The athletes and officials from 104 countries walked past the dignitaries sitting in front of the VIP area at the JLN Stadium. They went around a small circle near the dais before taking their designated areas.

10 Indian para athletes, led by flagbearers Dharambir Nain and Preethi Pal, participated in the brief parade to loud cheers from the crowd.

The Delhi-based dance group 'We are One', consisting of hearing-impaired artists, performed to a version of 'Jai Ho', with many of them in wheelchairs. The cultural program also featured Bhangra dance and Manipuri 'pung cholom' performances.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message on the occasion, which was read out by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao. PM Modi said that India is proud to host the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time.

"At a time our nation is being recognised as a sporting and inclusive nation, it is an immense honour to organise a tournament of such magnitude. The remarkable performances of para athletes have redefined the meaning of resilience and determination, inspiring both sportspersons and common people across the world. Their achievements have ignited a collective belief that no challenge is insurmountable," the PM said in his message.

He further added that by breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks, para athletes have played a crucial role in strengthening India's identity as a rising sporting hub, motivating millions to embrace sports as a way of life.

"Sport has a great way of connecting people, transcending all barriers of religion, region and nationality. In today's world, it is all the more important to emphasise this unifying aspect of sport. I am sure that this tournament will have a similar impact on all the participants and spectators," PM Modi added.

Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, Paralympics Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia and World Para Athletics President Paul Fitzgerald were also present during the opening ceremony.

The para athletes will compete across 186 medal events, which are 15 more than the 2024 edition in Kobe, Japan. The championships promise fierce rivalries and top-class performances as over 100 medallists who altogether won 308 medals in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, including 112 gold, 96 silver, and 100 bronze, are set to participate at the grandest para athletics stage.

There will be 101 men's events, 84 women's events, and one mixed event in the championships being hosted by India for the first time. The hosts will have 73 para athletes competing in front of the home crowd, the largest ever in any edition of the championships so far.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Mondo track and a top-class fitness centre at the warm-up area of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships.

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"It's good that it (fitness centre) will remain permanent so that athletes can use this and benefit from this," Mandaviya said.

The warm-up area has also been fitted with LED floodlights so that the athletes can also practice after sunset or early in the morning. A jogging area around the warm-up area was also inaugurated by the sports minister.