Key Highlights
- The 2025 edition of Khelo India Para Games will be staged from 20‑27 March across three venues in New Delhi.
- Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the official anthem at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
- The mascot, named “Ujjwala”, a stylised house‑sparrow symbolising perseverance, was revealed by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse.
- The Games logo, showcasing iconic Delhi monuments, was unveiled by Paralympic Committee President Devendra Jhajharia and Svayam founder Sminu Jindal.
- More than 1,300 para‑athletes will contest six disciplines: archery, athletics, badminton, powerlifting, shooting and table tennis.
Detailed Insights
The ceremonial kick‑off saw Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya sing the lyrics “Khelega khelega mera India, jeetega jeetega mera India”, underscoring the nation’s commitment to inclusive sport. Raksha Nikhil Khadse introduced “Ujjwala”, a bird that thrives despite urban challenges, mirroring the fortitude of the participating para‑athletes and the vibrancy of Delhi. The emblem, crafted by Devendra Jhajharia and Sminu Jindal, integrates the Lotus, India Gate and Qutub Minar to convey dynamism, unity and accessibility.
Six sport categories will host a total of over 1,300 competitors, featuring elite performers such as para‑archery gold‑medallist Harvinder Singh and high‑jump specialist Praveen Kumar. The venues – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium and Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range – have been upgraded to meet international accessibility standards. This edition follows the successful Khelo India Winter Games held earlier in Jammu & Kashmir, reinforcing the government’s year‑round focus on para‑sport development.
Key Concepts
- Para‑Athlete: A sportsperson with a physical, visual or intellectual impairment who competes according to classification guidelines.
- Inclusivity in Sport: Policies, infrastructure and cultural attitudes that enable athletes of all abilities to participate on an equal footing.
- Classification: The systematic process that groups para‑athletes based on the type and severity of their impairment to ensure fair competition.
- Adaptive Venue: A sporting facility modified with ramps, tactile flooring, and assistive technologies to accommodate diverse mobility needs.
- National Para‑Games: A multi‑disciplinary, government‑backed event that showcases talent, promotes awareness and scouts athletes for international Paralympic representation.