Parliament Question: Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Institute for Sports Training of Divyangjans

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

(DIVYANGJAN) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -2563 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2026 ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SPORTS TRAINING OF DIVYANGJANS

2563. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur:

Shri Radheshyam Rathiya:

Shri Shankar Lalwani:

Shri Chintamani Maharaj:

Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat:

Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary:

Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi:

Dr. Hemang Joshi:

Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Institute for Sports Training of Divyangjans, Gwalior is the country's only premier institution for sports training of Divyangjans;

(b) the details of its activities and major achievements so far; and

(c) whether the Government is considering any proposal to further strengthen and expand the activities of the Institute, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SH. B.L. VERMA)

(a): Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports (ABVTCDS), Gwalior is an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

(DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides sports training to persons with disabilities.

Further, Sports Authority of India, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has made special provisions for differently-abled youth in National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Scheme and Regional Centre Gandhinagar is especially earmarked for the promotion of Para Sports. The selected athletes are provided with state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, equipment, sports science backup, expert coaches and support staff, boarding and lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational expenses, healthy nutritious diet and medical/insurance. Apart from NCoE Gandhinagar, PwDs were inducted into NCoEs in SAI Bengaluru, JLN Stadium and Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi. All these centres were equipped to be differently-abled-friendly and provided specialized training and support.

1(b) and (c): Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports (ABVTCDS), Gwalior has undertaken various activities to promote disability sports and strengthen sporting opportunities for persons with disabilities. These include organising and hosting national and state-level championships, coaching and selection camps, training programmes, workshops, and sports competitions across a wide range of para-sports in collaboration with recognised sports federations and organisations. The Centre has also facilitated participation of athletes from across the country and contributed to talent identification and capacity building in disability sports. The details of the major activities and achievements are at Annexure.

***** 2Annexure Activities undertaken by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports

(ABVTCDS), Gwalior 2023-24

1. Sports persons from various institutes of persons with disabilities were invited for athletic events (100 mts, 200 mts, Long Jump, Javelin throw & Shot put) on 30th Oct, 2023 in different categories i.e. Intellectual disability, Hearing impaired, Cerebral Palsy and Autism.

2. The Table Tennis event for para-sportsperson was organized on 6th Nov, 2023. A total of 16 people participated in this event. The athletes participated in 3 different categories i.e.

Hearing impaired, Cerebral Palsy and Wheelchair class.

3. BOCCIA Event was organized on 21st Nov, 2023 at ABV-TCDS, Gwalior. 33 athletes participated in 3 different categories i.e. Intellectual disability, Cerebral Palsy and Wheelchair class.

4. On 3rd Dec, 2023 in collaboration with M.P. State Deptt. for Persons with Disability, a sports event was organized in which about 220 para-sports persons from 12 schools participated in various track, throw events & BOCCIA event.

5. On 29th & 30th December, 2023 XIII -MP state para-athletics championship 2023 were conducted by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). 80 sports persons participated under various categories & events and 11 participants were selected for Senior Para Athletics National Championships held at Purple Fest, Goa on 13.01.2024.

6. 8th BOCCIA National Sub-Junior, Junior & Senior (Male & Female) Championships were conducted by BOCCIA Sports Federation of India from 07th to 12th February, 2024. 100 athletes from across the country participated in the event.

7. 23rd National Para Swimming Championships, 2023-24 (Men & Women) were conducted by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) from 29th to 31st March, 2024. 456 para swimmers from across the country participated in the event.

2024-25

1. All India Sports Council for Deaf (AISCD) conducted a 10-day National Coaching Camp followed by a one-day Selection Trial at ABVTCDS, Gwalior from 12th–21st April, 2024.

The camp aimed to prepare and identify talented deaf athletes for future national competitions.

2. The National Football Championship organized by Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) was held at ABVTCDS, Gwalior from 25th–28th April, 2024. Around 80 sportspersons from across India participated, displaying outstanding talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

3. The National Coaching Preparatory Camp-1 for female floorball was conducted at CDS Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh from 20th–29th June, 2024. The camp included 26 athletes, 15 coaches, and 7 support staff from 14 states.

4. The National Bocce Championship was held from 1st–5th September, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Around 86 athletes and 48 coaches from 21 states and union territories participated along with officials, resource persons, and volunteers.

35. The National Coaching Preparatory Camp-1 (Bocce) took place from 24th–28th September, 2024 at the centre. The camp included 34 athletes, 11 coaches, and 18 resource persons from 10 states.

6. The International Wheelchair (Para) Rugby Workshop 2024 was organized from 28th– 30th September, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. The workshop focused on skill development, training techniques, and promotion of wheelchair rugby in India.

7. The 6th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2024 was held on 1st & 2nd October, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. About 200 participants from 16 states, including athletes, coaches, and officials, took part in the tournament.

8. The 8th National Wheelchair Basketball Championship (Women’s) 2024 was conducted from 5th–8th October, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Around 250 participants from 9 states, including athletes, coaches, and officials, took part in the championship.

9. The 8th National Wheelchair Basketball Championship (Men’s) 2024 was held from 10th– 13th October, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. The event witnessed participation from teams across several states competing at the national level.

10. Students from the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Tamil Nadu) visited ABVTCDS, Gwalior as part of their co-curricular activities. The visit aimed to provide exposure to disability sports training and facilities at the centre.

11. Students from the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities, Dehradun visited the centre from 14th–17th November, 2024. The group consisted of 5 players and 1 staff member who explored sports facilities and activities.

12. On 3rd December, 2024, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Around 800 people participated, including 500 persons with disabilities and 300 others.

13. The 11th National Athletics (Autism) Championship 2024 was held on 7th–8th December, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Athletes from different regions participated and showcased their sporting abilities.

14. The Para Kabaddi Coaching Camp for the Madhya Pradesh team was conducted from 23rd–28th December, 2024 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. The camp focused on training and preparation for upcoming competitions.

15. The All-India PAFI Para Arm Wrestling Cup 2025 was held on 18th–19th January, 2025 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Around 300 players from 20 states participated in this national- level competition.

16. The XIV Madhya Pradesh State Para Athletics Championship was successfully conducted on 3rd February, 2025 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Athletes from across the state participated and competed in various athletic events.

17. The 4th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship was held from 5th–15th February, 2025 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. The tournament featured over 300 players from 18 state teams competing at the national level.

18. The 3rd Jonathan Cup – All Quads Wheelchair Rugby Tournament was organized from 1st–4th March, 2025 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. A total of 24 quadriplegic athletes from 12 states participated in the competition.

19. The 1st IBFF Partially Sighted Football National Championship 2025 was held on 24th– 25th March, 2025 at ABVTCDS, Gwalior. Around 110 participants from 8 states, including players, coaches, and officials, took part in the event.

42025-26

1. 8th–15th April, 2025: National-level Coaching and Training Camp for Boccia was organized in collaboration with Boccia India, in which 10 players participated.

2. 5th–9th May, 2025: Badminton Trials were conducted in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with the participation of 75 players.

3. 4th–16th May, 2025: Boccia Coaching Camp was organized in collaboration with Boccia India, with 42 players participating.

4. 14th–23rd May, 2025: National Coaching Camp for Football (Men) was conducted in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 32 players.

5. 1st–10th June, 2025: National Coaching Preparatory Camp-1 for Badminton was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 28 players.

6. 4th–9th June, 2025: T-10 Wheelchair Cricket Tournament 2025 was organized in collaboration with Lion Wheelchair Cricket Association, Madhya Pradesh, with participation of 150 participants.

7. 23rd–25th June, 2025: CP Para Taekwondo State Games & Training Camp was organized in collaboration with the Paralympic Association of Madhya Pradesh, with participation of 25 players.

8. 10th–14th July, 2025: National Tennis Championship was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 220 players.

9. 29th July–7th August, 2025: National Coaching Preparatory Camp for Roller Skating was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 54 players.

10. 1st–25th August, 2025: Pro Panja League-2 was organized in collaboration with the Arms Wrestling Federation of India, with 110+ participants.

11. 26th August–16th September, 2025: National Coaching Preparatory Camps for Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis and Tennis were organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 272 players .

12. 11th–13th September, 2025: Para Swimming Selection Trials for the Asian Youth Para Games were organized in collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) with participation of 50+ players.

13. 18th September, 2025: 3rd State Para Yogasana Sports Championship was organized in collaboration with PEFI, Madhya Pradesh, with participation of 50+ players.

14. 20th–29th September, 2025: Goalball Camp and 1st Youth National Goalball Championship were organized in collaboration with the Blind Sports Association, Madhya Pradesh and IBSA, with participation of 90 players (camp).

15. 1st–5th October, 2025: PARA Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was organized in collaboration with the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India, with participation of 150 players.

16. 3rd–9th November, 2025: Blind Cricket Training Camp was organized in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Blind Cricket Association, with participation of 80 players.

17. 10th–30th November, 2025: National Coaching Preparatory Camps for Badminton & Bocce were organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 257 players.

18. 10th–24th December, 2025: Powerlifting and Handball Coaching Camps were organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 124 players.

519. 10th–31st January, 2026: National Coaching Preparatory Camps for Cycling and Football were organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 200 players

20. 3rd–13th February, 2026: National Pre-Departure Coaching Camp (Goalball) was organized in collaboration with IBSA with participation of 35 players.

21. 19th–27th February, 2026: National Squad Selection Camp (Men & Women) was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 100 players.

22. 21st February–14th March, 2026: CP Football Coaching Camp was organized in collaboration with Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) with participation of 30 players.

23. 1st–10th March, 2026: Futsal Camp was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 34 players.

24. 1st–31st March, 2026: National Blind Football Training Camp was organized in collaboration with Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) with participation of 6 players.

25. 11th–14th March, 2026: 1st Wheelchair Ultimate Nationals was organized in collaboration with UMOYA SPORTS with participation of 100 players.

26. 17th–19th March, 2026: MP Wheelchair Rugby Training Camp was organized with participation of 6 players.

27. 21st–30th March, 2026: Athletics Camp was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 70 players.

28. 22nd–31st March, 2026: Hockey Camp was organized in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) with participation of 70 players.

Notable Achievements of ABVT-CDS, Gwalior:

1. Ms. Anushka Dubey and Ms. Sheethal, trainees of ABVTCDS, represented India at the IBSA Asian Women's Blind Football Championship 2026 held in Osaka, Japan, where the Indian team won the Silver Medal.

2. Sh. Sahil, Sh. Shivam Singh Negi and Sh. Akhil La have been selected for the Indian Blind Football Selection Camp for the Asian Para Games 2026, Nagoya, Japan.

3. At the XXV National Para Swimming Championship 2025–26, trainees of the Centre won 24 medals (13 Gold and 11 Silver). Notable performers included Vedant Singh, Aniket Pilankar, Utkarsh, Ayushi, Revansh, Dimple Vaishnav, Mani, Tarveen and Kanha Patra, who secured multiple medals in their respective events.

4. Ms. Komal Tyagi won the Gold Medal in the Women's 100 m T11 event and Ramesh won the Bronze Medal at the 24th National Para Athletics Championships 2026.

5. Sh. Krushna Panwar won the Gold Medal in the Sub-Junior category at the Powerlifting Championship–2026 and had earlier secured a Gold Medal at the National Bench Press Championship.

6. Sh. Narendra Prajapati won the Silver Medal in the 65 kg category and was adjudged "Best Player of Madhya Pradesh" at the Para Powerlifting Championship 2026.

7. Sh. Arvind Tomar won the Silver Medal in the 55 kg category at the 4th PAFI National Para Arm Wrestling Championship 2026, while Mitesh Rathore secured two Silver Medals in the 60 kg category.

68. Sh. Utkarsh Bansal won the Gold Medal in the 50 m Backstroke and the Bronze Medal in the 50 m Freestyle at the 26th Junior & Sub-Junior National Para Swimming Championship 2026. ***** 7