Hope to double the medal tally in the 2020 Paralympics, reveals Deepa Malik
Deepa Malik has stated that all her compatriots have been working hard with only a year to go for next year’s event in Tokyo and will be doing their best to ensure that they double 2016’s tally of 11 medals. She went on to express her happiness on the recent spurt in para-sports all over the nation.
With the Paralympic games scheduled to advent almost exactly a year from now, Deepa Malik is confident of the country’s chances in Tokyo. Last time around, the para athletes had made India proud by securing 11 medals for the nation in the sporting extravaganza and they’ll be looking forward to better that tally come next year.
"Exactly one year is left for the Paralympics. It is a big milestone for the players. The list will be finalised soon. So, the players should work hard and pull up their socks. We won a total of 11 medals in Paralympics so far. We hope to double the medal tally in the 2020 event," Deepa Malik was reported telling ANI by TOI on Sunday.
The 48-year-old had become the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympics, achieving the feat by securing the silver medal in the F53 shot put in 2016. She has since won a couple of Bronze medals in the Asian Para Games as well as the gold medal in F-53/54 javelin throw in the para athletic grand prix last year. She was recently announced as the latest nominee for the country’s highest sporting honour.
"I do feel proud when I am being called as India's first para-athlete woman. In the last 70 years of our Independence, we got a Paralympic medal and after 73 years of our freedom, a first para-athlete player will be honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. I hope women and girls come forward and get themselves empowered in sports," said Malik.
The versatile athlete has been largely responsible for popularizing the para-sports and inspiring para-athletes all over the country. They now receive funding at par with the athletes who participate in the Olympics and will be looking to make a mark among the 4,000-odd participants. in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, scheduled to start on the 25th of August next year.
"Our mentality has become inclusive. The results are now visible. Para games have been added to the Khelo India programme. Para-games have now become popular at school-level. Our players are qualifying in the world events -- be it shooting, badminton, table tennis, archery or athletics. Our players are continuously competing at the international level," Malik concluded.