University volunteers drive India’s para-sports mission with passion and purpose

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 11, 2025

In a powerful testament to youth leadership and inclusive sporting spirit, over 500 volunteers from India’s leading universities have joined hands to support para-sporting events under the aegis of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). The initiative, designed to strengthen grassroots engagement in para-sports, marks a defining moment in nurturing a new generation of professionals committed to athletic inclusivity and excellence.

The structured volunteer education and engagement program, conducted over the past two months, was spearheaded by renowned PCI coaches Rakesh Kumar Yadav and Abhishek Chaudhary. Their mentorship has shaped this initiative into a landmark movement connecting Physical Education professionals with the growing domain of Para Sports in India.

The program featured hybrid training sessions combining theory and field exposure, equipping volunteers with essential skills in athlete assistance, event coordination, discipline management, and inclusivity promotion.

The selected 512 volunteers, drawn from eight prestigious institutions, include 120 from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior; 110 from Delhi University’s Maitreyi College; 55 from Sports University of Haryana; 52 from Central University of Haryana; 50 each from Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences (IGIPESS) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); 45 from Central University of Punjab; and 30 from Amity University.

These young volunteers represent a wide range of disciplines, from Physical Education and Sports Sciences to Sports Management, Media, Foreign Languages, and Sports Technology.

The volunteer data management team, led by Pawan Mangule, and the Media and Crisis Management team, led by Sandeep Saxena, underscored the spirit of commitment, teamwork, and national service driving this initiative. Both leaders highlighted the need for structured volunteerism as a cornerstone for advancing Para Sports in India.

Manish Rana, Director for Sports Development and Performance at PCI, lauded the students’ involvement, noting that their participation reflects a rising awareness about inclusivity and the transformative potential of youth in sports. “Their contribution will be vital in ensuring the success of upcoming national and international para-sporting events,” he said.

This volunteer-driven movement symbolizes the fusion of academia and athletic endeavour, setting a new benchmark for how India’s youth can power the nation’s journey toward sporting excellence and inclusivity.