All Things Policy Parasport: More Than Just Medals
Jan 8, 2026
In a thought-provoking conversation, Manasi Joshi, a para-badminton world champion and advocate for inclusive sports, teams up with Malathi Renati, head of policy at Takshashila. They explore the evolution of para-sports in India, discussing the importance of policy reforms and the need for societal acceptance. Topics like talent identification, the impact of government initiatives, and the ongoing challenges of sponsorship and affordability in para-sport are also highlighted. Their discussion emphasizes viewing para-sport not as an exception, but as an essential part of India's sporting narrative.
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From Accident To World Champion
- Manasi Joshi started para-badminton as rehab after a road accident and returned to competition within a few years.
- She progressed from national events in 2014 to representing India internationally from 2015 and later became world champion and Paralympian.
Classification Shift Equalized Competition
- India adopted IPC-aligned classification between 2007 and 2010 which moved categories from medical labels to functional sport classes.
- This harmonization created clearer, fairer competition and reduced confusion across tournaments.
Policy Integration Expanded Support
- Government schemes like TOPS (which included para sports in 2020) and Khelo India (2023) integrated para athletes into organized training and support.
- Recent policy moves and governance laws have normalized para sport within India's sports framework and planning.