Chennai Hosts Historic 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 with Grand Success

Chennai Hosts Historic 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 with Grand Success

Chennai, February 20, 2025 : The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship, hosted in Chennai from February 18 to 20, 2025, concluded with resounding success, setting new benchmarks for inclusivity, organization, and celebration of athletic excellence. Organized by the Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association (TNPSA) with the support of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the championship brought together para athletes from across the nation in a vibrant showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship.

Held at the state-of-the-art Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the event witnessed participation from 30 states, featuring 1,426 athletes, supported by 250 escorts, 90 technical officials, and 400 dedicated volunteers. A total of 155 events were conducted across multiple categories of physical, visual, and intellectual disabilities, with timely results and same-day medal ceremonies, underscoring the event’s efficiency and professionalism.

Opening Ceremony and Dignitaries

The championship was inaugurated in a grand ceremony by the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. Udhayanidhi Stalin, alongside a host of esteemed dignitaries including:

• Dr. Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development

• Mr. J. Meganatha Reddy, Member Secretary, SDAT

• Padma Bhushan Shri Devendra Jhajharia, President, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)

• Shri Jayawant Gundu Hammanavar, PCI Official

• Padma Shri Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu

• Mr. Kirubakara Raja, Secretary - Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association (TNPSA)

The Closing Ceremony was graced by Lt. Gen. Karanbir Singh Brar, with Shri R. Chandrashekar, Vice President, PCI, and other PCI officials in attendance.

Champion States

Haryana topped the medal tally with an impressive 107 medals, followed by Tamil Nadu with 47 medals (17 Gold, 18 Silver, 12 Bronze), and Uttar Pradesh securing third with 42 medals. The performance of the Tamil Nadu team was further celebrated with cash incentives announced by Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin:

• ₹5 lakh for gold medalists

• ₹3 lakh for silver medalists

• ₹2 lakh for bronze medalists

This recognition reflects the state’s unwavering support for para sports and its athletes.

Accessibility and Athlete Experience

The organizing committee took significant strides to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience:

• 750+ hotel rooms secured across 25+ hotels, including wheelchair-accessible rooms

• Standardized food menus and hygiene checks

• 24/7 help desks and trained volunteers at every accommodation

• Accessible transport with over 30 low-rise buses, 15 cars, 10 minibuses/vans, and backup emergency vehicles

• Medical assistance and para classification assessments to ensure fair play

Security, safety, and comfort remained top priorities, with efficient shuttle services connecting athletes and guests from hotels to the venue and back.

The Mascot – Gajaveeran

Adding vibrancy and spirit to the event was “Gajaveeran”, the official mascot—a dynamic and cheerful para-athletic elephant sporting a blue jersey with "Chennai 2025, National Para Athletics" inscribed on it. With a prosthetic leg and a wheel, Gajaveeran stood as a bold symbol of adaptive sports, strength, inclusivity, and resilience.

The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship in Chennai not only set new standards for athletic excellence and hospitality but also echoed a powerful message of empowerment, proving that with the right support, para athletes can achieve greatness beyond limits.