World’s First High-Altitude Para Sports Center to Be Established in Leh, Ladakh
Leh, Ladakh, is set to become the home of the world’s first high-altitude para sports center, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at nurturing and training para-athletes for international competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics.
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish this state-of-the-art facility. The center will provide inclusive, world-class training to para-athletes from India and around the globe, leveraging the unique advantages of high-altitude training environments.
“This center will not only tap into the region’s potential but also contribute significantly to India’s goal of being among the top 10 countries in the next Paralympics,” said Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of Ladakh (LAHDC).
The center will offer training in a wide range of para sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, blind football, boccia, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, goalball, judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.
During the interim phase, AMF officials will identify and train Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Leh-Ladakh region at AMF’s Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre in Hyderabad. This will lay the foundation for aspiring athletes from Ladakh.
The CEC has formed a dedicated committee to oversee the center’s development and has directed officials to begin land identification for the facility.
The establishment of this high-altitude para sports center is a testament to India’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering para-athletes. It will provide a platform for these athletes to hone their skills, compete at the highest level, and represent India with pride on the global stage.