Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Sunday said that the government will establish five National Level Disability Sports Centres in separate zones in the country to promote sports among the differently-abled (Divyangjan).
Addressing a function in the national capital felicitate the Rio Paralympics medalists, members of T-20 Asia Cup Indian Blind Cricket Team and Indian Blind Para and Para Judo Team, Gehlot extended his support for organizing Paralympics in India, the idea proposed by his Cabinet colleague and President of Paralympics Committee of India Rao Inderjit Singh.
Calling for equal status to all sports and players, Sports Minister Vijay Goel also extended his full cooperation for organising Paralympics in India. He declared that all sports facilities and stadiums will be thrown open to encourage sports in the country.
On the occasion, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) presented cash awards of a total of 90 lakh rupees to the Rio Paralympics medalists and 28.5 lakh rupees to 19 members of the Indian Blind Cricket team.