India’s Paralympic movement has seen remarkable growth in recent years, a fact highlighted during the ongoing World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC 2025) at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

On Wednesday, Paul Fitzgerald, head of World Para Athletics, and Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), addressed the media, praising India’s progress in para sports. Fitzgerald called the event a major opportunity to showcase the potential of athletes with disabilities and to foster community connections.

“Every world championship is a chance to show the world what’s possible for 1.2 billion people with disabilities,” he said. He noted India’s rising medal tally, recalling the two medals won at the Doha World Championships in 2015, compared with 17 at Kobe last year. The ongoing New Delhi event has already added to the count.

Fitzgerald also highlighted the government’s support, including facility renovations and plans for annual Grand Prix events over the next three years. “The reach we are having within the para community across India is very important. This is definitely not a one-off event,” he said.

Parsons, recently re-elected for a third IPC term, noted the positive momentum in India’s para-sports ecosystem. “There is growth, and good government support. India is developing economically, and when national leadership takes an interest, it makes a difference,” he said, drawing parallels with Brazil’s experience in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Fitzgerald stressed that personal bests matter more than medals. “Being competitive and inspiring others is more important than winning. These games are a real launch point for the future of para sports in India,” he added.