Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Padma Shri para-athlete Dr. Deepa Malik and directed officials to prepare a detailed action plan for establishing a Para Sports University to promote inclusive sports development in the state.
Dehradun:
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today met with Padma Shri awardee and renowned para-athlete Dr. Deepa Malik at the Chief Minister’s residence. During the meeting, the Chief Minister felicitated Dr. Malik and lauded her outstanding contribution to para-sports, describing her journey and achievements as a powerful source of inspiration for the nation and society at large.
During the interaction, Dr. Deepa Malik proposed the establishment of a Para Sports University in Uttarakhand, aimed at providing world-class training, modern infrastructure, scientific coaching, and a dedicated institutional platform for para-athletes. She highlighted that Uttarakhand’s geographical and hilly terrain offers immense potential for nurturing para-sports talent, and with structured support and specialized facilities, athletes from the state can achieve excellence at both national and international levels.
Responding positively to the proposal, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami termed it a visionary and impactful initiative. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the holistic development of persons with disabilities and para-athletes. Emphasizing inclusive sports development, the Chief Minister directed Additional Secretary Ashish Chauhan to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the proposed Para Sports University, enabling detailed examination of all aspects and facilitating concrete policy decisions in this direction.
The meeting was also attended by Jaywant Hammanawa, General Secretary of the Paralympic Committee of India; JP Singh, Chairperson of India Para Powerlifting; Shubham Chaudhary, Vice President of Para Raw Lifting; JC Jain, Chairman of Core University; and renowned Paralympic powerlifters Paramjit Kumar, Ashok, and Kasturi.
The proposed initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the para-sports ecosystem in Uttarakhand and position the state as a leading hub for inclusive sports excellence in the country.
