World's first high-altitude para sports centre to come up in Leh

The world’s first high-altitude para sports centre dedicated to training and nurturing para athletes in the country will be established in Leh, Ladakh and will focus to train for international competitions including the larger goal of preparing para-athletes for the 2028 Paralympics and advancing their skills, confidence, and performance to excel on global platforms.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF), who have been constantly working for the cause of Para Sports in the country.

The high-altitude para sports centre will offer inclusive, world-class training to para-athletes not only from India but from across the world, providing them with a competitive edge unique to high-altitude training environments and also an opportunity for Indian para players to train alongside them champions of the game.

“It is a very proud feeling for us that Leh will be establishing the world’s first-ever high-altitude centre for para sports. Indian para-athletes have been leaving undeniable mark of performances at the world stage with 29 medals, including seven gold, that India won in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris is a testament of the talent we have in our country. I am confident that this centre will not only help to tap the potentials of the region but also contribute hugely to India’s journey to feature in the top-10 countries by the next Paralympics,” said  Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of Ladakh (LAHDC), under whose guidance the initiative has seen the light of the day.

He further added, “This centre will allow these athletes to train with world- class facilities and represent Ladakh with pride on global platforms.”

Till the time the centre is getting completed, the AMF officials will identify the Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Leh-Ladakh UT region and they will undergo screening, counselling, and training at AMF’s Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre, which is also Asia’s first Para Sports Academy and Rehab Centre in Hyderabad. This interim phase will build foundational skills and offer essential rehabilitation for aspiring athletes from Ladakh region.

The MoU signing meeting was also attended by distinguished council members and representatives from the AMF, including Councillors Lobzang Sherab, Tundup Norboo, and Mirza Hussain; ACR, Leh Shabir Hussain; District Social Welfare Officer, Leh; Tehsildar, Leh; Chief Education Officer, Leh; officials from District Youth Services and Sports, Leh; and Presidents of Munsel, Rewa, and PAGIR societies. Key AMF representatives included D.P. Singh, Ex-DIG BSF; J.K. Mehta, Joint Managing Trustee; and Aditya Mehta, Founder of AMF.

Tags : Para Sports, Leh, Ladakh, para-athletes, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, LAHDC