Page 12 - Sportability

KEY NOTE

ADDRESS

Shri Amitabh Kant
Shri Amitabh Kant

rincipal Dr Vijay Datta, the guest of honour Dr disability. In the world of sports, we have witnessed
Satyapal, who has done such a remarkable job countless stories of athletes overcoming incredible
Pand is the youngest Dronacharya Awardee, whose odds to achieve greatness. One such inspiring tale is
dedication, and sincerity, have enabled us to train so of Sheetal Devi, a teenage Indian para archer who was
many young people; Ms Ambika Pant, Mrs Anuradha born with ‘phocomelia’ a rare congenital disorder, that
Singh, Mr Ashok Pratap Singh, Mrs Abha Sadana, led to the underdevelopment of her limbs, despite this
distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen and all challenge, Sheetal Devi made a remarkable impact on
the sports participant, who assembled here today, first the global stage in 2023 claiming a silver medal in the
of all, let me congratulate Modern School for a very Open Women’s Compound Archery event at the world
unique initiative. The school has its sports facility for archery para championship in the Czech Republic
the cause of Social Inclusion enabling all the people becoming the first female arm less archer to win a Silver
with disabilities to avail the vast infrastructure facility Medal in Para World Championship. Her stellar debut
that the school has built up. And this to my mind is truly season continued at the Asian Para Games 2023 where
remarkable. I have long believed that Modern School she bagged Gold medals in Individual, compound, and
engages in several unique initiatives. It has excelled in mixed stream events as well as silver medal in the
academics, sports, and co-curriculars, but I believe one women’s double competition. She truly demonstrates
area in which it now excels is Social Inclusion through her incredible spirit, enthusiasm, energy, vibrancy,
this remarkable initiative of empowering people with dynamism, to excel in sports despite all handicaps.
disabilities. It is a great initiative because Sports has India’s commitment to fostering an inclusive sports
always been an integral part of Indian culture. ecosystem has been evident in the remarkable success
of initiatives like the Khelo India program 2023. The
It’s woven into the fabric of our society and as a nation, inaugural edition of the games held in New Delhi
we are not just sports lovers but we live and breathe was a resounding success with over close to 1500
the spirit of sports. The language of sports is universal. para-athletes from 32 states and union territories
The spirit of sports is what unites us all. Sports is not participating across seven sporting disciplines. The
just about breaking records, it is about empowering Khelo India para games 2023 aimed to send a powerful
humanities and providing opportunities for growth and message of inclusivity and dignity towards athletes with
expansion and that is what Modern School is doing. I was diverse abilities. The event witnessed several inspiring
just seeing a wonderful manual that has been prepared performances by Indian para athlete. The success of
by Mrs Sadana, and Anviti Singh about schools opening the Khelo India Para Games is a testament to India’s
up their facilities for empowering students with any commitment to providing facilities and organizing
kind of handicapped. I believe that this is a remarkable high-quality competitions at the local level for athletes
piece of work, assisting people with any kind of with diverse abilities and this aligns in many ways

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