Sheetal Devi (Para Archery Athlete)
Today, the recognition I receive as a Paralympic champion is the result of many years of systematic effort. I, who was once an ordinary child in Kishtwar, unknown to the world, have now emerged as the Sheetal Devi the world knows, through the guidance of good coaches and wholehearted support.
The support I received from coaches, the Sports Authority of India, and many others gave me the confidence to dream of great success and compete with the world’s best athletes. But my story should not remain just an exception.
Across India, in villages and small towns, there are thousands of children with disabilities who have extraordinary talent. Many of them do not know where to train. Others cannot find a coach who understands para sports. That is why I believe India’s newly revamped ‘Khelo India’ scheme will be a turning point for all sports, especially para sports.
The central government is investing Rs. 29,054 crore in this five-year development plan, which has been envisioned and planned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Key aspects of this plan include identifying talent, improving coaches and support staff, and strengthening infrastructure and a high-quality training environment. Only when the state/Union Territory governments work together with the central government in this plan can its full benefits be realized.
Because facilities including training are not available nearby, many talented children end up staying in villages itself. The revamped Khelo India scheme focuses on strengthening para training facilities and recognized academies. Having quality para sports academies, coaches, and easily accessible infrastructure close to where they live makes a huge difference.
In the new format of the Khelo India scheme, talented children will be identified at an early stage and supported at every stage of their development through ‘Para Khelo India athletes’ and ‘Emerging Khelo India athletes’.
It is important to identify para athletes at an early stage. Despite having talent, children with disabilities often start sports only late. The reason for this is the lack of awareness, training, and opportunity. Under the Khelo India scheme, by identifying them early and providing continuous support, we can guide their sporting journey in the right direction.
The revamped Khelo India scheme identifies para athletes as one of the greatest strengths of sports development. No child should have to leave home just to find a coach who understands para sports.
Every competition teaches lessons that training alone cannot. Through the expansion of the ‘Khelo India Para Games’, more young talents will get the opportunity to build confidence and improve their performance.
Under the Khelo India scheme, I have participated in the annual sports competitions, in the Para Games, in archery; it brings the best talent to the competition stage.
The impact of the Khelo India scheme should be assessed not on the basis of the medals won in competitions, but by the increasing number of children with disabilities taking part in sports. We cannot measure their self-confidence. But the journey to every medal begins there.
I firmly believe that the true success of the Khelo India program is when children with disabilities from every district, village, and corner of India step into sports with confidence, knowing that a path awaits them.
