Muzaffar Khan
A Part of Jammu and Kashmir Leh Ladakh covers about 45,000 square miles (117,000 sq km), the southeastern extension of the Karakoram range and the upper valley of the Indus River. Ladakh is one of the highest regions in the world. Its natural features mainly consist of high plains, deep valleys, rivers, lakes and a series of mountain passes such as Amling La, through which the world’s highest drivable road passes. High plains prevail in the east. In southeastern Ladakh lies Rupshu, a region of large salt lakes, among them the famous tourist destination Tso Moreri, at an altitude of about 13,500 feet (4,100 m). Northwest of Rupshu lies the Zanskar range, an inaccessible region where people and cattle stay indoors year-round because of the cold. Zanskar is drained by the Zanskar River, which flows northwards, downstream to join the Indus River.
Leh Ladakh is one of the highest regions in the world due to this the world’s first high-altitude para sports centre will be established in Leh, Ladakh, aiming to advance the skills and confidence of athletes ahead of the 2028 Paralympics.
A Memorandum and Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF).
“It is a very proud feeling for us that Leh will be establishing the world’s first-ever high-altitude centre for para sports. Indian para-athletes have won 29 medals, including seven gold, in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris and it is a testament of the talent we have in our country,” said Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC.
Till the time the centre is getting completed, the AMF will identify 15 Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Leh-Ladakh UT region and they will undergo screening, counselling and training at their Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre in Hyderabad.
“The opening of Leh Ladakh as a hub for para sports marks a new era not just for the region, but for India’s future in international competitions,” said Aditya Mehta, Founder, AMF.
List of Sports to be included: Para Sports: 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.
Winter Games: Para Alpine Skiing; Para Biathlon; Para Cross-Country Skiing; Para Ice Hockey; Para Snowboard and Wheelchair Curling.
From this, it is being concluded that the Indian government is committed to bringing Ladakh UT to the heights of development. It should be remembered that Ladakh was separated into a separate UT by the Modi government on August 5, 2019, with the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, the Government of India has been busy carrying out various development works in the region.
