India’s Silent Warriors: Team to shine at the Asia Pacific Deaf Games

A 68-member Indian team is all set to participate in the Asia-Pacific Deaf Games, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from December 1 to 8. This tournament is equivalent to the Asian Games for athletes with speech and hearing problems and acts as a precursor to the Deaflympics scheduled for Japan next year.

The Indian contingent will showcase their skills in seven sports – athletics, badminton, chess, judo, table tennis, taekwondo and wrestling. Before their departure, a farewell ceremony for the team was organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

SAI organized national camps in Sonepat and New Delhi, offering intensive training in various disciplines, while the Lucknow regional center facilitated the taekwondo camp. The Indian team, comprising 92 members including 24 coaches and staff, is supported by SAI’s investment of Rs 3 crore. Key athletes include Deaflympics double gold medalist Abhinav Sharma, shuttler Jerlin Anika and wrestler Amit.

(With input from agencies.)