Tokyo Paralympics: First batch of Indian athletes leaves for Tokyo

The eight-member contingent will be followed by 14 members,who will leave for the Japanese capital on August 18.

(Representative Image) India will start the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games from August 25 with para table tennis where Bhavina Patel and Sonal Patel will be in action.

The first batch of Indian athletes for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, including flag bearer Thangavelu Mariyappan left for the Games on Wednesday amid a warm send-off.

The eight-member group was accorded a send-off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by officials of Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

Along with Mariyappan, Tek Chand and Vinod Kumar were the other two athletes that took the early morning flight to Tokyo.

"The entire country, including the honourable prime minister and sports minister, are cheering for us today.”

“Every athlete who is going to take part in the Paralympics is already a winner and I wish all of them good luck," said PCI president Deepa Malik while addressing the contingent.

Another contingent of 14 members, including the president of PCI, will leave for the Japanese capital on Wednesday evening.

The Paralympics Games will begin in a week's time on August 24. India will start its campaign from August 25 with para table tennis where Bhavina Patel and Sonal Patel will be in action.