WPAC 2025: Para-athletes breaking barriers, setting new benchmarks, says PM Modi in special message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India’s role as a host for the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, calling it a big step to showcase the country as a sporting and inclusive powerhouse. The exciting opening ceremony kicked off Thursday evening at the famous Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, drawing athletes and fans from around the world.
In a warm welcome to the 2,200 participants from 100 nations, Modi praised para-athletes for smashing barriers and boosting India’s rise as a global sports hub. “They’ve inspired millions to make sports part of everyday life,” he said in his message. This marks India as the fourth Asian country to host the event, following Qatar in 2015, the UAE in 2019, and Japan in 2024. The Paralympics Committee of India organized the championships.
Modi emphasized how sports bring people together, crossing lines of religion, region, and nationality. “In today’s world, that’s more important than ever,” he added. “I’m confident the WPAC 2025 will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.”
Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya kicked things off by declaring the event open. He joined other dignitaries, including Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, MP Kangana Ranaut, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, and World Para Athletics head Paul Fitzgerald.
Athletes will compete on a brand-new Mondo track at the stadium—the same blue surface used at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Mandaviya unveiled it on National Sports Day, August 29. He also launched a warm-up track and a multi-specialty gym that can handle over 200 athletes training at once.
For India, this WPAC 2025 is all about pride, progress, and purpose. The country is sending its biggest-ever team of 74 para-athletes, including stars like javelin thrower Sumit Antil, sprinter Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Dharambir Nain, and high jumper Praveen Kumar. They’ll get to shine on home soil.
Competition starts September 27, with 186 gold medals on the line across various events. Fitzgerald got the crowd buzzing, saying spectators in the stadium and viewers worldwide will witness incredible feats on the upgraded facilities. “World records will fall, champions will rise, but not every story ends in gold,” he noted. “Join in for the highs, lows, and everything in between with these amazing athletes.”
Hosting the WPAC fits into India’s big plans for global sports events, testing the nation’s setup for even larger ones. Mandaviya shared that preparations are underway for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with eyes on the 2036 Olympics. “As PM Modi says, sports build champions while promoting peace, progress, and wellness,” he explained. The event will also build lasting changes, like better facilities, support for para-athletes, and a push for equal chances in sports.
India’s para-athletes are fired up at Nehru Stadium, where many Paralympic medalists and world champs have trained. The team hit a high note at the 2024 Kobe championships in Japan, grabbing 17 medals—six golds, five silvers, and six bronzes—for a sixth-place finish. Before that, in Paris 2023, they set a record with 10 medals, including three golds.
Modi celebrated this growth in para sports, saying these athletes redefine resilience and inspire everyone globally. “Their success shows no challenge is too big,” he remarked. With WPAC 2025 underway, India aims to keep pushing boundaries in para athletics and beyond.
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