Para-badminton world champion Manasi Joshi has drawn attention to the disparity in funding between cricket and other sports in India. Following India’s struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Joshi took to social media to appeal for increased government support for para sports, highlighting the significant achievements of Indian athletes in Paralympic events.
India’s Paralympic Success in 2024
India made history at the 2024 Paralympic Games in France, delivering their best-ever performance with a total of 29 medals, surpassing the 19-medal haul at Tokyo 2020. The contingent of 84 athletes competed in 12 sports, securing seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals.
The opening ceremony featured Bhagyashree Jadhav and Sumit Antil as flag bearers, while Preethi Pal and Harvinder Singh carried the flag during the closing ceremony. The success of Indian para-athletes on the global stage has been a testament to their dedication and talent, despite limited resources and support.
Manasi Joshi’s Plea for Equal Investment
Reacting to India’s underwhelming performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Joshi took a subtle dig at cricket’s dominance in India. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), she urged the government to redirect some of cricket’s funding towards para sports, promising better returns in terms of results.
“Cricket ka thoda funding para sports mein daalo plz. Hum better results dete hai (Please invest some of cricket’s funding into para sports. We deliver better results),” Joshi posted.
Her comments came after India’s batting woes continued in the final Test against Australia, where they were bowled out for 185 on Day 1. With India trailing 1-2 in the series, regular skipper Rohit Sharma was rested, and Jasprit Bumrah took over as the stand-in captain, delivering the only consistent performances for the team.
Manasi Joshi: A Champion and Advocate
Manasi Joshi is a former world champion in the women’s singles SL3 category and currently holds the seventh rank in the category. She is also ranked second in the SL3-SU5 category and 13th in the XD SL3-SU5 division.
Recognized globally for her achievements, Joshi was included in BBC’s list of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women in the world in 2020. She was also nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award in the same year.
A Call for Change
Joshi’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among athletes from non-cricketing disciplines, who seek equitable investment and attention. With India’s para-athletes consistently delivering remarkable performances on the world stage, her appeal serves as a reminder of the untapped potential in para sports and the need for a more balanced approach to funding and support.
