The anticipation is mounting as India prepares to host the grandest Para event ever conducted in the country – the New Delhi 2024 WSPS World Cup, set to kick off on the 8th of March 2024. With a record-breaking participation of 44 countries and a total of 449 participants, including 267 shooters, this event promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent, determination, and sportsmanship.
Renowned champions from across the globe, such as Veronika Vadovicova, Iriana Franches, and Dela Forest, alongside a formidable contingent of Indian champions including Avani Lakhera, Rudransh Khandelwal, Manish Narwal, and Singhraj Adhana, are gearing up for an intense battle for supremacy in the world of Para shooting. Veronika Vadovicova is one of the sport’s greats numerous medals.
With 81 members, the Indian squad is the largest contingent in the New Delhi 2024 WSPS World Cup, signaling the nation’s growing prowess and commitment to Para sports. This event serves as a remarkable platform for India to showcase its rising might in the realm of Para shooting and affirm its status as a powerhouse in the sporting world. With teams from UAE, Russia, and China also fielding strong squads, the competition is set to be fierce. Notably, Russia will participate under the banner of Neutral Participating Athletes (NPA), adding an element of intrigue to the proceedings.
However, amidst the exhilarating action and fierce rivalries, the New Delhi 2024 WSPS World Cup holds special significance as it offers 20 coveted quota places for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. For athletes, this presents a golden opportunity to secure their spots in the upcoming Paralympic Games, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already thrilling event.
Deepa Malik, the Local Organising Committee President and the outgoing President of Paralympic Committee of India considers this as a new milestone for the growth of para-sports in India.
“The world looks at us as a country with the potential to host world level para-sports events. This also indicates that the ‘New India’ of Prime Minister Modiji’s vision is that Viksit Bharat which is now emerging as inclusive in celebrating abilities beyond disabilities. I thank World Shooting Para Sport and the International Paralympic Committee for entrusting us with this faith. I also thank the Government of India and the Sports Ministry and Indian Oil for supporting PCI to achieve this feat of world level para-sports being hosted in India” said Deepa Malik.
The New Delhi 2024 WSPS World Cup is not just a competition; it is a celebration of human resilience, determination, and the unbreakable spirit of Para athletes.
