New Delhi: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated the Indian deaf sports team on Monday, celebrating their historic success at the 10th Asia-Pacific Deaf Games in Kuala Lumpur. The team returned with a record-breaking 55 medals, marking an 11-fold increase from their five-medal performance in the 2015 edition.
The 68-member contingent, comprising 42 men and 26 women, delivered India’s best-ever performance in the tournament since its inception in 1984. The team clinched 8 gold, 18 silver, and 29 bronze medals, securing a fifth-place finish among 21 participating nations.
Minister Applauds Historic Achievement
During a special interaction at his residence, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes, coaches, and support staff.
“I want to congratulate the Indian deaf team for elevating the nation’s pride with this incredible achievement. Winning 55 medals in the Asia-Pacific Deaf Games is a testament to your dedication and hard work. The Indian government is committed to enhancing sports infrastructure and specialised coaching to support athletes like you,” he said.
Highlighting the remarkable progress since 2015, Dr. Mandaviya added, “In 2015, we sent a smaller team and won just five medals. This year, 68 athletes competed in seven disciplines, winning an unprecedented 55 medals. This reflects the positive transformation in the country’s sports sector.”
Medal Breakdown and Training Support
The Indian team excelled across various disciplines:
- Athletics: 28 medals (5 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze)
- Badminton: 6 medals (3 Silver, 3 Bronze)
- Chess: 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
- Judo: 7 medals (2 Gold, 5 Bronze)
- Table Tennis: 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
- Wrestling: 8 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 6 Bronze)
To prepare for the games, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) organized discipline-specific training camps at facilities including Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium, SAI NCOE Sonepat, and SAI Regional Centre Lucknow. SAI also provided financial support for travel and accommodation in Malaysia.
The team’s unprecedented success in Kuala Lumpur not only showcases their talent but also highlights the growing support and infrastructure for deaf athletes in India.
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