India showcased its cultural diversity during a colourful opening ceremony to mark the inauguration of the 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships here on Thursday.
India is the fourth Asian nation after Qatar (2015), UAE (2019) and Japan (2024) to host the Championships. Its Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared the tournament ‘open’, one that will see around 2,200 para athletes from 104 countries competing over the next nine days.
“Sport has a great way of connecting people, transcending all barriers of religion, region and nationality. In today’s world, it is all the more important to emphasise this unifying aspect of sport. I am sure that this tournament will have a similar impact on all the participants and spectators.” Mandaviya said.
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“We have assembled our largest-ever para contingent of 73 athletes, a testament to how deeply para-sports have taken root in the country. Champions such as Sumit Antil, Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Dharambir Nain, and Praveen Kumar will compete on home ground,” he added.
“We are deep into planning for the Commonwealth Games 2030, and we have our eyes set on hosting the Olympic Games in 2036 with ambitions that will accelerate infrastructure, opportunity, and the sporting dreams of countless youth.”
Starting off with a bang
Mandaviya’s inauguration speech was preceded by the athletes’ parade and a 45-minute cultural performance. A section of the Indian contingent, led by flagbearers Dharambir Nain and Preethi Pal, took part in the parade to the loud cheer of the assembled crowd.
Delhi-based dance group, ‘We are One’, comprising hearing-impaired artists, performed to the rendition of the famed ‘Jai Ho’, with many of them in wheelchairs.
In a section of the cultural programme, there was Bhangra dance and Manipuri ‘pung cholom’ performed with mridangam.
Artists performing a cultural programme during the opening ceremony of World Para Athletics Championships 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
Artists performing a cultural programme during the opening ceremony of World Para Athletics Championships 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message that was read out by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao.
“India is proud to host the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time. At a time our nation is being recognised as a sporting and inclusive nation, it is an immense honour to organise a tournament of such magnitude,” Modi said in his message.
“The remarkable performances of para athletes have redefined the meaning of resilience and determination, inspiring both sportspersons and common people across the world. Their achievements have ignited a collective belief that no challenge is insurmountable.”
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Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, Paralympics Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia and World Para Athletics President Paul Fitzgerald were also present at the ceremony.
“This edition will be the largest single event para championships in history, and credit to India for hosting this,” Fitzgerald said.
“Spectators inside the stadium and audience around the world will experience the brilliance of the athletes competing in newly renovated facilities designed to maximise their skill, speed and strength.”
Head of World Para Athletics Paul Fitzgerald speaks during the opening ceremony of World Para Athletics Championships 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
Head of World Para Athletics Paul Fitzgerald speaks during the opening ceremony of World Para Athletics Championships 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
What to expect at the World Championships?
The Championships will feature 186 medal events, 15 more than the 2024 edition and over 100 medallists, who altogether won 308 medals in the Paris Paralympics, including 112 gold, 96 silver, and 100 bronze, are set to test their mettle on the grandest para athletics stage.
There will be 101 events for men, 84 for women, and one mixed, being hosted by the country for the first time.
Host India will have 73 para athletes competing in front of the home crowd, the largest ever in any edition of the Championships so far.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
Host India will have 73 para athletes competing in front of the home crowd, the largest ever in any edition of the Championships so far.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu
Leading the charge will be Germany’s Markus Rehm, the four-time Paralympic champion and seven-time world champion in the men’s long jump T64. Known as the ‘Blade Jumper’, Rehm holds a world record that surpasses every Olympic gold medal jump this century.
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India’s pride, Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist and defending world champion in men’s javelin F64, is set to enthral the home crowd once again.
Host India will have 73 para athletes competing in front of the home crowd, the largest ever in any edition of the Championships so far.
Published on Sep 25, 2025
