The excitement at the Purple Sports segment in the ongoing International Purple Fest Goa 2024, reached a crescendo on the Day 4 with immense athleticism, sheer grit and the never-say-die spirit taking the centre stage across multiple sports disciplines including the prestigious National Para Athletics Championship at Bambolim stadium on Thursday.
Exceptional displays by the best talents from the Indian para-sports, including Arjuna Awardee long-distance runner Ankur Dhama, has been the icing on the cake as the inspiration quotient rose manifolds at the unique Purple Fest.
Visually-impaired athlete Ankur Dhama, who bagged two gold medals with his victory in 1500m T11 and 5000m T11 events at the fourth Asian Para Games China 2023; won the 1500m event at the Bambolim stadium today.
“I have now qualified for Paris Olympics 2024 and I want to make India proud at the world level,” said Ankur after the medal ceremony on Thursday evening.
Paralympic Committee of India President Dr. Deepa Malik was excited about the overall development of the para sports scenario in the country. She highlighted the importance of the ongoing Para Athletics Nationals, saying:” We are very happy that we could bring the Para Athletics Nationals to Goa and create more awareness around para-sports.”
Sharing his thoughts about this momentous occasion, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai underlined Goa’s ambition and capabilities of organising this massive festival where the state is catering to over 15,000 Divyangs from various parts of India by providing massive opportunities in what is developing as an inclusion revolution.
The Indian domination continued at the end of the fourth round of the International Chess Tournament for visually-impaired, being held at Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. Patra Subhendru Kumar drew with Kimsanboyev Axadxon of Uzbekistan; while Saikrishna lost to compatriot Kishan Gangoli. As such, Patra and Gangoli are the joint-leaders with 3.5 points after 4 rounds.
Delhi won the Invitational Wheelchair Cricket Tournament with a nail-biting 2-wicket victory over Karnataka in the final at SAG ground, Campal, today morning.
Chasing the target of 138, Delhi raced to a great position before losing wickets in a heap as Karnataka staged a fightback of sorts. However, Delhi tailenders did very well to get 12 runs from the last over to snatch victory from under the noses of Karnataka men, reaching 138/8 in 19.5 overs. Earlier, Karnataka had suffered a similar batting collapse and slumped to being bowled out for 137 runs in 20 overs. Delhi’s Saurabh Chauhan was named the man of the match while Saurabh Malik was adjudged the man of the tournament.
Sports Minister Govind Gaude, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai graced the prize distribution ceremony.
The Unified Badminton Tournament also drew to a close today. The hosts’ men’s team comprising Adnan Shaikh and Ayaan Shaikh beat Himachal Pradesh team 15-12, 15-2 after getting the better of Bihar 15-6, 15-7. The women’s team comprising Roshani Ben and Anjili Iwale overcame a stiff challenge from Kerala team 6-15, 15-12, 15-4. They however went down to Chandigarh 13-15, 9-15.
In unified football at GSUDA ground, Kerala women’s team trounce Bihar 6-1. There was no stopping Goa in the men’s event and the hosts scored an easy 4-0 against Kerala as Venson Paes and Vishvesh Chondankar scored two goals each.
Goa loves its volleyball too and there was something to cheer at Miramar beach where Unified Volleyball event is going on. Goa men got the better of Odisha 15-4, 15-12. In the other matches, Pondicherry beat Kerala 2-1 while in the women’s group, Kerala beat Bihar 2-0.
