On 03 OCT 2025 at 10:20PM, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports (ABVT-CDS), Gwalior, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Equibeing Foundation, Bangalore, at DEPwD Headquarters, New Delhi.
Representing ABVT-CDS were Mr. Vineet Singhal, Director and Ms. Pallavi Rai, Deputy Director. PEFI represented by Dr. Piyush Jain, Founder & Secretary, and Dr. A.K. Uppal, Chairman, while Ms. Ananthalakshmi A.L., CEO & Managing Trustee, signed on behalf of Equibeing Foundation. Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, was present.
The MoU with PEFI focuses on strengthening ABVT-CDS as a Centre of Excellence in Para-Sports through coaching expertise, academic and research collaborations, infrastructure development, and organization of national and international sporting events. The MoU with Equibeing Foundation brings a special focus on promoting inclusive sports for persons with visual impairment, with initiatives that include multi-sport training, certificate courses in adaptive sports, joint research, access to ABVT-CDS facilities, and hosting national and international events, alongside awareness campaigns to boost social inclusion through sports.
Release ID: 2174674
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): Department under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, involved in the signing of the MoUs.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The central ministry overseeing the DEPwD and the overall initiative.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports (ABVT-CDS): A training center in Gwalior, under the DEPwD, that is the focus of the MoUs for para-sports excellence.
Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI): An organization that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DEPwD.
Equibeing Foundation: An organization that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DEPwD focused on promoting inclusive sports for visually impaired.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
ABVT-CDS, PEFI & Equibeing Foundation Join
Hands to Promote Inclusive Sports and Para
Excellence in India
Posted On: 03 OCT 2025 10:20PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark step towards making India a global leader in inclusive sports, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training
Centre for Disability Sports (ABVT-CDS), Gwalior, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, signed two Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) with the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Equibeing
Foundation, Bangalore. The signing took place at DEPwD Headquarters, New Delhi, in the presence of Shri
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Representing ABVT-CDS were Mr. Vineet Singhal, Director and Ms. Pallavi Rai, Deputy Director. PEFI
represented by Dr. Piyush Jain, Founder & Secretary, and Dr. A.K. Uppal, Chairman, while Ms.
Ananthalakshmi A.L., CEO & Managing Trustee, signed on behalf of Equibeing Foundation.
The MoU with PEFI focuses on strengthening ABVT-CDS as a Centre of Excellence in Para-Sports through
coaching expertise, academic and research collaborations, infrastructure development, and organization of
national and international sporting events.
The MoU with Equibeing Foundation brings a special focus on promoting inclusive sports for persons with
visual impairment. Key initiatives include multi-sport training, certificate courses in adaptive sports, joint
research, access to ABVT-CDS facilities, and hosting national and international events, alongside awareness
campaigns to boost social inclusion through sports.
These partnerships are expected to create a stronger ecosystem for para-athletes, foster research-led training
practices, and open new pathways for Divyang athletes from grassroots to global levels. By combining
institutional expertise, community engagement, and inclusive infrastructure, India is taking a decisive step
towards mainstreaming para-sports and nurturing talent across all abilities.***
KV
(Release ID: 2174674)