Congratulations #MariyappanThangavelu & Varun Bhati u made us proud! Govt. should enhance support for specially-abled athletes #Paralympics

DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin warmly congratulated high jumpers Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Singh Bhati for scripting historic sporting glory for India at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Mariyappan, hailing from Periavadagampatti village in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, clinched the gold medal in the men's high jump T-42 event with a leap of 1.89 meters, while Varun Bhati secured the bronze medal, making the nation immensely proud.

Stalin lauded Mariyappan's extraordinary journey of perseverance, noting that despite suffering a permanent leg impairment in a childhood road accident and growing up in severe poverty supported by his vegetable-vendor mother, he conquered the global athletic stage through sheer grit. He stated that Mariyappan's golden triumph serves as a glowing inspiration to millions of underprivileged youth. Stalin emphasized that central and state governments must move beyond token cash awards and systematically build world-class training infrastructure, specialized coaching academies, and generous financial stipends for specially-abled athletes. He called for reservations in public sector employment and sports pensions for para-athletes.

Stalin reiterated that investing comprehensively in para-sports is essential to nurture diverse sporting talent across Tamil Nadu.