Question : Preparation for Paralympic Games

(a) the details of provisions made by the Government to improve and develop disabled-friendly infrastructure at training camps in the country for Paralympic athletes;

(b) whether India proposes to send athletes for some new sports to the next Paralympics and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether India proposes to send more athletes for the next Paralympics and if so, the strength of supporting staff likely to be expanded proportionately to ensure adequate requisite assistance for the athletes?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
{COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

(a) Differently abled athletes are provided with all requisite disabled friendly infrastructure and facilities for their training and participation in International events. Furthermore, all the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Stadiums and training centres have been made
disabled friendly and up-gradation of these facilities are carried out from time to time.
Department of Sports has also issued instructions to all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to ensure disabled friendly facilities to differently abled athletes.

(b) & (c): The participation of Indian Athletes in Paralympic Games depends on allocated quota by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as per the achievement of Minimum Qualification Standard (MQS) by the athletes. Paralympic Committee of India is in process to send Athletes to the 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo to compete in the new disciplines - Para Badminton and Para Taekwondo, which are included in the 2020 Paralympic Games for the first time .

The strength of the support staff is as per norms of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and guidelines of Local Organizing Committee (LOC) at the Paralympic Games. The strength of support staff also depends upon the number of participating Athletes and their category of disability.

The average percentage of support staff to accompany the team is 40% of athletes, this includes Escorts, Coaches, Guide Runners, Physiotherapists, Doctors, Masseurs, Psychiatrists etc.
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