New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with 54-member Paralympic contingent via video conferencing ahead of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
During interaction with the para-athletes, PM Modi wished them luck and asked them to go ahead and express themselves at the showpiece event. He boosted the confidence of the atheletes for the mega event.
He interacted with Parul Dalsukhbhai Parmar, para-badminton player from Gujarat and said, "You will turn 50 in the next 2 years. You've worked hard on your fitness. I think you will be giving a present to your brother, this Raksha Bandhan."
"COVID-19 may have increased your hardships but you people have never given up, this is real sportsmanship. Your victory, your medal is very important but new India will not pressurise our athletes to win the medal, you just need to give your 100 per cent," MP said.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur who was present at the virtual meet, thanked PM Modi for extending his support to athletes across the country. "Your encouragement will motivate the youth to take up sports and do well in it," the Union Minister said.
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place between August 24 and September 5. India's biggest-ever contingent consisting of 54 para-athletes from across nine sports disciplines will start its campaign with women's and men's archery events on August 27.
(This is a developing news. More details awaited.)