Deepa Malik speaks to PS ahead of Tokyo Paralympics

India's largest ever Indian contingent of 54 para-athletes were given a formal and virtual send-off for Tokyo Paralympic Games by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur. The athletes were addressed and sent best wishes by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur via a video message. 54 athletes from India will be competing in 9 sporting disciplines including Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Swimming, Weight Lifting among others. This is the biggest-ever contingent India is sending to any Olympics. Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Thangavelu Mariyappan will be the flag bearer of India and Gursharan Singh will be the Chef de Mission of the Indian team. The Tokyo bound players were part of the event virtually as they are in strict bio-bubble. Badminton will make its debut at the Paralympic Games, which will feature as many as seven Indian shuttlers. Amidst loud cheers, claps and lot of enthusiasm the dignitaries present showered their best wishes for the Paralympics-bound contingent and hoped that they shall surpass the Rio 2016 Games’ tally of 4 medals. India had its best ever performance in the last Paralympic Games held at Rio and finished the campaign with a high of two gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal.