First of six-part series

Saurabh Duggal

Three road accidents in three different parts of Haryana — Sonepat, Jhajjar and Rohtak — in 2007, left three young lives on wheelchair with severe spinal injuries. Hoping to get back on their feet again brought them to Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

All three — Amit Saroha, Amit Balyan and Sunil Phogat — then in their prime of youth, hailing from the hinterland of Haryana, met for the first time during their treatment and rehabilitation at Vasant Kunj centre. The tragedy brought them closer and their friendship grew even thicker when they realized that for the rest of their lives they would be confined to a wheelchair and even for their basic day-to-day needs they would be dependent on others.

Eventually para sports — short for ‘parallel sports’ for people with disability — played a pivotal role in helping them to get back to the mainstream. It was during the turmoil of their lives that they were introduced to para-sports as part of the therapy and a pass time. Few years later, para-sports not only gave them a new lease of life, but also gave them a glimmer of hope for a future which they could have never imagined for themselves before injury.

Their disabilities were no longer a burden and the para sports made them financially independent. If we talk about the cumulative cash awards they have won so far for their para achievements at national and international-level competitions, it crosses over Rs 10 crore.

Balyan and Phogat had represented the country in the 2018 Para-Asian Games and are still active in the sport, while Saroha competed in his third Paralympics in Tokyo.     

All three have seen para sports taking a shape of revolution in the last one decade in the country from a close quarter. The change is evident in the Tokyo Paralympics.

In the Tokyo Paralympics, India fielded its biggest-ever contingent — 54 athletes in 9 disciplines. Till date India has won 15 medals, including three gold and seven silver. And the medal count is expected to touch 20.

In the Rio Paralympics, India had won four medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).