New Delhi, August 29 (HS): On Friday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India’s first-ever Mondo track at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. This state-of-the-art track will serve as the battleground for the forthcoming World Para Athletics Championship scheduled from September 26 to October 5. With this milestone, India has joined an elite group of just 25 countries worldwide to install the globally acclaimed Mondo track surface, widely used in the Olympic Games and premier international athletics events.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by distinguished athletes including former long jump World Championship bronze medalist Anju Bobby George, double Paralympic gold medalist and Indian Paralympic Committee chief Devendra Jhajharia, javelin thrower Sumit Antil, sprinter Preeti Pal, and Para athletics medalist Simran Sharma. The newly installed track is crafted from two layers of vulcanized rubber, designed to enhance athletic performance while significantly reducing injury risks.

Minister Mandaviya hailed the facility as a landmark moment for Indian sports, stating, “This is a proud day for the nation as India now boasts its own Mondo track. In the months ahead, it will host its first major competition, marking a giant leap forward as India officially bids for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and the Olympic Games 2036.” Reaffirming the government’s long-term vision, he emphasized a roadmap aimed at nurturing talent and upgrading infrastructure, targeting to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse by 2047.

Indian Paralympic Committee president Devendra Jhajharia expressed pride, saying, “I always dreamt of throwing javelin on a Mondo track as an athlete; today, as an administrator, inaugurating this track is deeply gratifying. This will empower our athletes to reach new heights.” He extended warm wishes on National Sports Day, calling on all Indians to commit to fitness and the nation’s sporting excellence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar