Over 150 Divyang swimmers competed in the 4th Delhi State Para Swimming Championship 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, with Ashish Sood backing para sports.
New Delhi: More than 150 Divyang swimmers competed in the 4th Delhi State Para Swimming Championship 2026 at the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, on Sunday.
The Divyang Para Sports Association of Delhi (DPSA), affiliated with the Paralympic Committee of India, organised the state-level championship to provide para swimmers with a competitive platform and help them prepare for upcoming national competitions.
Delhi Minister for Home, Power, Urban Development, Education, Higher Education, and Training & Technical Education, Ashish Sood, attended the championship as the Chief Guest. Devesh Chandra Srivastava, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), and Niharika Bhatt, IPS, DCP (North Delhi), attended the event as Guests of Honour.
Speaking at the championship, Ashish Sood said the determination and discipline of para athletes showed that they could overcome challenges through hard work. He reaffirmed the Delhi Government’s commitment to building an inclusive sports ecosystem and creating more opportunities for athletes to train, compete and excel.
Sood also said competitions such as the Delhi State Para Swimming Championship give athletes valuable exposure and help them prepare for national and international events.
Parul Singh, President of the Divyang Para Sports Association of Delhi, said the championship aimed to give para swimmers a competitive platform ahead of the upcoming national swimming competition for para athletes.
She added that the participation of more than 150 swimmers across different categories reflected the growing interest in para swimming in Delhi.
The championship also brought together swimmers, coaches and other sporting stakeholders. Organisers highlighted the importance of regular state-level competitions in identifying emerging talent and strengthening Delhi’s para sports ecosystem.
Devesh Chandra Srivastava praised the swimmers for their determination and encouraged them to continue pursuing their sporting goals. Niharika Bhatt also congratulated the athletes and organisers and stressed the importance of creating inclusive sporting opportunities.
The 4th Delhi State Para Swimming Championship concluded with a focus on strengthening para swimming in Delhi and preparing local athletes for upcoming national-level competitions.
