New Delhi [India]New Delhi, July 19, 2020 (ANI): Ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya participated in a roundtable discussion on India's preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here in Delhi on July 19, 2020 (ANI): Friday.

Olympic bronze medallist and hockey team member Ashok Dhyanchand, Asian Games gold medallist and former world number one double thrower Ronjan Sodhi, Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Akhil Kumar and Asian archery gold medallist boxer Abhishek Verma, two-time Paralympic javelin champion Devendra Jhajharia and Tokyo Paralympic silver medallist Yogesh Kathunya took part in the interactive session to discuss India's preparations for the multi-sport event.

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The session was also attended by Sujata Chaturvedi, Minister of Sports; Sandeep Pradhan, Director General, Sports Authority of India; Abhishek Tripathi, President, Delhi Sports Journalists Association; Wasabi Hussain, Secretary, Delhi Sports Journalists Association; and Commodore PK Garg, Director General, Olympic Target Podium Programme. The senior committee members of Delhi Sports Journalists Association also participated in the session organised by Delhi Sports Journalists Association in collaboration with Sports Authority of India.

“The new era in India has seen a lot of progress, but this is just the beginning. “In 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, we aspire to be one of the leaders,” Mandaviya was quoted as saying by Indo-Asian News Agency in a statement issued by the Sportsmen’s Association of India. “Therefore, in sports around the world, it is important for us to have a platform like this for in-depth discussions.”

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He added: “I wish our players all the best for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I am sure they will make our country proud.”

“In 2004, when I went to the Athens Paralympics, I paid out of my own pocket. I went, won a gold medal and broke a world record. “Since then, there has been a lot of progress in Indian sports,” he said. Devendra Jharia, president of the Indian Paralympic Committee. After missing the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, I returned to the Rio Olympics in 2016 and won a gold medal.

“Today, as the President of Pakistan Sports Federation, I am 100 percent confident that we will achieve excellent results in the Olympics and Paralympics. Our target this time is to exceed 25 medals. Our slogan is ‘Apki Bar .25 Bar’,” he added.

On this occasion, Sports Minister Mandaviya also launched a booklet titled 'Road to Paris' which outlines the path to the 2024 Olympics for the Indian delegation.

A total of 117 Indian athletes are expected to travel to Paris to participate in the Olympics from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. (ANI)

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