Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) has onboarded 20 para-athletes for three years under its ‘Samarth Para-Sports Programme’. Being executed in collaboration with GoSports Foundation, this initiative comes under the aegis of Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative. The ‘Samarth Para-Sports Programme’ will offer structured support to para-athletes to help them with finances, expert sports science guidance, access to assistive devices, soft skill development assistance, and mentorship from expert coaches.
Samarth Para-Sports Programme
The latest initiative from Hyundai focuses on eight key sports categories: Para-Athletics, Para-Swimming, Para-Badminton, Wheelchair Tennis, Para-Archery, Para-Rowing, Para-Canoeing, and Para-Cycling. The athletes that have been selected comprise 15 emerging (age- 13 & above) and 5 elite (age- 16 & above) para-athletes from across the country. The para-athletes will receive assistance that should enable them to excel at a global level. Below is a list of all the selected sportsmen –
| S.no. | Athlete Name | Sports Category | Location | S.no. | Athlete Name | Sports Category | Location | |
| 1 | Arvind Kumar Saini | Para- Archery | Jaipur, Rajasthan | 2 | Bhavik Bharwad | Para- Athletics (100 m & 400m) | Nadiad, Gujarat | |
| 3 | Chirag | Para-Athletics (100m) | New Delhi | 4 | Dipesh Kumar | Para- Athletics (Javelin) | Hathras,Uttar Pradesh | |
| 5 | Abhishek Jadhav | Para-Athletics (100m & 200m) | Kohlapur, Maharashtra | 6 | Banti | Para-Athletics (High Jump) | Churu, Rajasthan | |
| 7 | Balaji Rajendran | Para-Athletics (Shotput, Discus) | Salem,Tamil Nadu | 8 | Harshit Choudhary | Para- Badminton | Sanwer,Madhya Pradesh | |
| 9 | Rachna Patel | Para- Badminton | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 10 | Sakshi Kasana | Para-Athletics(Discuss,Shot Put,Javelin) | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | |
| 11 | Yash Kumar | Para- Canoeing | Agra,Uttar Pradesh | 12 | Shreyansh Trivedi | Para- Athletics (100m & 200m) | New Delhi | |
| 13 | Sahil Hooda | Para-Archery | Rohtak, Haryana | 14 | Palak Kohli | Para- Badminton | Jalandhar, Punjab | |
| 15 | Haney | Para-Athletics (Discus, Javelin) | Rohtak, Haryana | 16 | E Kalaiselvi | Para-Athletics(Wheelchair Racing) | Chennai,Tamil Nadu | |
| 17 | Tejas | Para-Swimming | Bengaluru, Karnataka | 18 | Sarumathi | Para-Badminton | Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu | |
| 19 | Basavaraj Kundaragi | Wheelchair Tennis | Dharwad, Karnataka | 20 | Sathi Mondal | Para-Swimming | Champahati, West Bengal |
Speaking at the event, Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “At Hyundai Motor India Limited, we are committed to fostering a world where each individual can contribute meaningfully. The Samarth Para-Sports Programme aligns with our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ and aims to foster an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By supporting Para-athletes, our endeavor is to showcase their incredible talent on a world stage and give them a chance to pursue their passions. My best wishes to the GoSports Foundation and all the selected 20 para-athletes. I am sure these athletes will inspire countless others with their courage and determination and make India proud.”
Ms. Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO, GoSports Foundation said, “GoSports foundation has been a pioneer who has institutionalized support to para-athletes and we are looking forward to creating a larger change with Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s Samarth Para Sports Programme. We aim to establish a platform for young and talented para-athletes to thrive and reach the pinnacle of para-sports, Paralympics. We are confident that with the right support and approach, we will be able to make India a great sporting nation.”
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