#TeamIndia @Powerlifting squad #JaideepDeswal & #SakinaKhatun depart for #Tokyo2020 @Paralympics with their coaches… https://t.co/K2ExQe8Ww3
— Paralympic India 🇮🇳 #Cheer4India 🏅 #Praise4Para (@ParalympicIndia) 1629460375000
Hoping for a medal, Jaideep in a release said: “We have trained hard for this day. If everything goes well, we can create history and bring a medal home.”
Sakina Khatun was one of the ten athletes who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 17. PM Modi had hailed her as a winner as she not only fought her disability but also extreme poverty.
JP Singh, who has been keeping a close eye on their performances, is more realistic about the chances. He said: “We are not going there with any pressure. If we do our best and if we have a little bit of luck on that day, our powerlifters shall be able to create history.”
Chef de Mission Gursharan Singh pointed: “Our powerlifters have practiced hard even during the pandemic and their morale is high. Their training has made us believe that they are second to none.”
The contingent was given a warm send-off by officials of the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. Powerlifting and badminton are the two sports that are making their debut at these Paralympic Games.