Page 22 - Sportability

PANEL DISCUSSION: INCLUSION

EMPOWERING DIVERSE ABILITIES THROUGH SPORTS

INTRODUCTION
On 13th of April 2024, several exceptional award- a tool of empowerment, an occasion for the celebration of
winning para-athletes, coaches, professionals, diverse human abilities, and brings about social change.
and practitioners of parapsoprts came together to These compelling narratives of coaches, athletes, and
share their knowledge and experiences with a wider professionals enable us to explore the impact of sports
community about their struggles, triumphs, needs, and on Persons with disabilities and to understand how these
accomplishments and the journey ahead. The aim was initiatives defy stereotypes and encourage communities
to discuss the importance of Parasports in the lives of to embrace resilience and inclusion.
Persons with Disabilities and to focus on their diverse
abilities and make concerted efforts to empower The stories and experiences of para-athlete tell us
them to harness these abilities to the optimum. The that the real significance of parasports is its capacity
discussion vividly created a picture describing the role to help individuals discover their unlimited potential,
and responsibilities of the community, government, regardless of their background or disabilities. The
NGOs, and private organizations to facilitate the same. stories and voices of para-athletes, and professionals
In addition, the discussion made the listeners and explained their trials and tribulations, the inspiration
participants took note of the efforts, ways, and diverse and courage sports provide them, and the feeling of
sports projects of the organisations, both government togetherness they inculcate throughout their sports
and Non-governments, coaches, and para athletes that journey. These are eye-opener for us, the regular people,
aim to transform the lives of para-athletes. Moreover, to whom such stories reach only as a larger-than-life
the discussions also brought to the fore the impact of picture and not as a everyday part of life, therefore,
sports on the social and psychological well-being of making us understand the importance of creating an
para-athletes. inclusive society.

In this context, the importance of Parasports surpasses
the competitive nature of sports. It transforms sports into