SPORTS

World's First High-Altitude Para Sports Centre to be Established in Leh, Ladakh

In Desk

Nov 12, 2024 • 1 min read

LEH, LADAKH - A ground-breaking initiative to establish a high-altitude para sports centre has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF).

The project aims to become the world's first para sports centre located at an altitude greater than 14,000 feet, set against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas. This state-of-the-art facility will focus on training para-athletes not only for national but also for international competitions, with a long-term vision to prepare athletes for the 2028 Paralympics.

While the centre is under development, AMF has already started offering screening and foundational training programs for young para-athletes from Leh-Ladakh. Fifteen potential athletes will commence their training journey in Hyderabad's Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre, Asia's first para sports and rehabilitation center.

"This centre will not only unlock the full potential of Ladakh but also contribute to India's mission to reach among the top 10 nations in the next Paralympics," said Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC. "We are proud that Leh has been chosen for this landmark initiative, and we will work tirelessly to ensure its success."

The centre is set to offer a comprehensive range of para sports and winter games, including archery, athletics, badminton, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and many more. The infrastructure at the centre is designed to provide world-class training facilities, leveraging the unique advantage of Ladakh's high-altitude environment.

As construction begins on the state-of-the-art centre, all eyes are glued to its potential prospects for young para-athletes from across India, particularly those hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. The project promises to unlock a new era in the lives of these talented athletes, elevating them to unprecedented heights both literally and figuratively.

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