Optimism marks the spirit of these 25,00 para athletes

Jaipur: Optimism and a desire to achieve the impossible appear to be the main characteristics of nearly 25,00 especially-abled athletes who have come from across the country to participate in the 17^th National Para Athletics and 16^th National Para Swimming Championship. Para Sports Association of Rajasthan is organizing tournaments at SMS Stadium in Jaipur.

Several athletes who have won medals in Paralympic Asian games and commonwealth games are participating in the championship.

Paralympic Association of India’s chairperson Rao Indrajeet Singh, Rajasthan sports minister Gajendra Singh Kheenwsar, state cabinet minister for social justice and welfare Arun Chartuvedi and several other public representatives were present during the opening ceremony on Friday. Tournaments will be held till April 4.

Explaining the rules of the swimming championship, an official said that a state or union territory can enter a maximum of two swimmers in an event, in one age group and in one class. However, the total number of swimmers from one state should not be more that 60 (including both male and female swimmers counted together in all disability groups). A swimmer can take part in a maximum of 4 individual events only.