“Parathletes need financial and infrastructure facilities to move ahead in their careers. Lots of development is needed for such athletes and there are lots of places where a wheelchair is not accessible, ” said Bhavina Patel Indian parathlete and table tennis player from Mehsana who won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. She was in Vadodara for a felicitation program organized by the Table Tennis Association of Vadodara and being felicitated by the first woman Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Dr. Nimaben Acharya.
Dr. Nimaben Acharya presented a one lakh cheque and a memento to Bhavina Patel and congratulated her for inspiring the other athletes to never lose hope. She said that winning the Silver medal in the Tokyo Para Olympic, Bhavina Patel has increased the pride of the entire country, not just Gujarat. As the first woman Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and in the very first program, she felt very happy to honor the daughter of Gujarat.
She also added that PM Narendra Modi has also given high priority to women’s empowerment. He has also given impetus to the sports sector and the sports infrastructure has become stronger. Millions of students have joined sports through projects like Khel Mahakumbh. Sports complexes are also being constructed at the district-taluka level, facilities including coaching, hostel, stipend for sportspersons have been made available by the state government.
Bhavina Patel thanked the Table Tennis Association of Vadodara for the honor and expressed her happiness. She said her responsibility has increased and will try harder to complete it. She urged all to never give up no matter how many difficulties come in life.
Momentos were also given to the athletes who excelled in the first Open Baroda Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament-2021. Various dignitaries were present during the ceremony.
