Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist Bhavina Patel put focus on financial and infrastructure support for para athletes during her visit to Vadodara

"Parathletes need financial and infrastructure facilities to move ahead in their careers. Lots of development is needed for such athletes and there are lots of places where wheelchair is not accessible, " Said Bhavina Patel Indian parathlete and table tennis player from Mehsana won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. She was in Vadodara for a felicitation program organised by Table Tennis Association of Vadodara and being felicitated by the first woman Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Dr. Nimaben Acharya.

Dr. Nimaben Acharya present a one lakh cheque and momento to Bhavina Patel and congratulate her feat inspire the other athletes to never loose hope and go for their dreams. She said, winning Silver medal in the Tokyo Para Olympic, Bhavina Patel has increased the pride of entire country, not just Gujarat. As the first woman Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and in the very first program, she feel very happy to honor the daughter of Gujarat.

She also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given high priority to women empowerment and put his belief consistently on women's power. Prime Minister also has given a lot of impetus to the sports sector and yielding good results. The sports infrastructure has become stronger. Today, millions of students have joined sports through projects like Khel Mahakumbh. Sports complexes are also being constructed at district-taluka level, facilities including coaching, hostel, stipend for sportspersons have been made available by the state government.

She added that with India winning seven medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, India had expressed its desire to be at the top of the world in the near future.

Bhavina Patel thanked TTAB for the honor and expressed her happiness. She said her responsibility has increased and will try hard enough to complete it. She urge all to never give up no matter how many difficulties come in life. We should always learn from experience and the emphasis is on working hard with confidence to achieve success.

She also added, Parathletes need financial and infrastructure facilities after basic level to move ahead in their careers. Lots of development is needed for such athletes and there are lots of places where wheelchair is not accessible. Awareness and development is necessary to improve the sports and make players build in confidence.

Momentos were also given to the athletes who excelled in the first Open Baroda Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament-2021. Various dignitaries were present during the ceremony.