Bangalore: The official website of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), www.paralympicindia.org was launched by Minister for Science and Technology, Small Savings and Lottery Ramachandra Gowda at the Vidhana Soudha here on Saturday.

Encouragement

The PCI, earlier called the "Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India" was established in 1992 by Arjuna awardee M. Mahadeva to encourage sports participation for the physically challenged athletes of India.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in a message to the Paralympians, which was read out by Mr. Ramachandra Gowda, said that handicapped persons and physically challenged sports persons do not need sympathy and pity from members of the public but they need to be given equal opportunities as their normal counterparts and support to achieve their goals.

Opportunities

"They should be given a chance to exhibit their talents so that they can also come up in life like other normal people," he said.

Later, speaking after inaugurating the website, Mr. Gowda said, "If you have the strength, grit and the determination to achieve your goals and fulfil your dreams your disability should not come in your way. He urged the Paralympic team to win as many medals as they can in the forthcoming championships.

Sportspersons

The programme was attended by a host of star sportspersons including billiards champion Pankaj Advani, badminton player Aparna Popat and cricketer Robin Uthappa. Malathi Holla, disabled athlete, Rathan Singh, president, PCI, and others were present. Diwakar, a visually challenged boy who shot to fame after singing at the popular TV show, Sa Re Ga Ma, rendered a few soulful numbers.

Championships

A team of Paralympians will be leaving for the FESPIC Paralympic Championships next week.

The championships will be held from November 25 to December 4 at Malaysia.

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