Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated the 5th ONGC Para Games, praising para-athletes for their unwavering determination. The event took place at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi with the presence of Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and senior officials from Oil & Gas PSUs.
India’s Paralympic Success
- India demonstrated para-sports excellence with 19 medals at Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
- The country further showcased its prowess, securing an impressive 111 medals in the Asian Para Games 2023.
Embracing the Power of the Human Mind: Essence of the ONGC Para Games
- Shri Pankaj Jain highlights the essence of the ONGC Para Games as a celebration of determination and resilience.
- Power of the human mind over physical limitations emphasized.
Inclusive Participation and Remarkable Achievements
- 371 athletes, including 249 ONGCians, participating in the 5th ONGC Para Games across various sporting disciplines.
- Athletes from oil and gas public enterprises like ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, EIL, OIL, and GAIL competing.
- Notable athletes such as Manasi Joshi, Manoj Sarkar, and Captain SK Sangwan set to participate.
- Captain SK Sangwan’s remarkable achievements highlighted, including leading in the Kargil War and Everest expedition.
ONGC Para Games: Fostering Inclusivity and Sporting Excellence
- Conceptualized in 2017 to mainstream and foster inclusivity for specially-abled employees.
- Significant growth observed in participation and diversity over the years.
- Many para-athletes from the event transition to represent India at the Paralympics, bringing pride to the nation.