Badminton debut in Paralympics, Noida DM will send 7 players to India
Para badminton is set to make its debut at the Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo next month. India will send a strong seven-man squad after the World Badminton Federation (BWF) gave two bipartisan quotas. District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, Para shuttler Suhas L. Yetiraj has been given a quota in the men’s singles SL4, while Manoj Sarkar has made it to the men’s singles SL3, and will join the team led by world No.1 Pramod Bhagat.
The addition of two para shuttlers also boosted India’s medal prospects in the two men’s singles categories. India already has Bhagat in men’s singles SL3 and Tarun Dhillon in men’s singles SL4 event. Chief National Coach Gaurav Khanna said, “It is wonderful to have a strong presence at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Indian Para shuttlers have been doing very well in international events including Asian Para Games and World Championships and now it is time to lead the show in Paralympics. It is great to have two shuttlers each in the men’s SL category and the men’s SL4 category which increases our medal chances. We want gold and silver in both the categories.
An excited Yathiraj, who is the District Magistrate of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is confident of winning a medal at Tokyo 2020. 2018 Asian Para Games bronze medalist Yathiraj said, being the DM of Noida, it was a very challenging time during the pandemic. But I never gave up on my training and devoted all my attention and time to it. I am very confident of winning a medal in Tokyo 2020, meanwhile, Sarkar said that qualifying for Paralympics is like a dream come true especially as the sport is making its debut.
Dr. Deepa Malik, Chairperson of the Paralympic Committee of India, is pleased to have two bipartisan slots. Deepa said, “We are very happy with the latest development. Our para shuttlers have been doing really well in international events over the years. And with the addition of Suhas L. Yetiraj and Manoj Sarkar, our medal chances have increased. I wish him all the best for the entire team.
