Svayam Partners With Para Athletics Championship in Bengaluru to Support Accessible Athlete Participation

Bengaluru, 27 March 2026: Accessibility organization Svayam has partnered with the 8th Open Para Athletics Championship 2026 as the official Accessibility Partner, reinforcing its continued engagement with disability inclusion and accessible sporting environments in India. The World Para Athletics-approved championship will take place at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, from May 26 to 28 and will bring together para-athletes from across India and participating international contingents. Athlete performances during the championship will contribute towards World Para Athletics rankings and selection considerations for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.

As part of the partnership, Svayam will facilitate accessible transportation support for para-athletes participating in the championship. The organizers will coordinate mobility assistance and on-ground transportation arrangements across the duration of the event to support smoother movement and participation for athletes arriving in Bengaluru.

Speaking on the occasion, Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, said, “Competitive sport demands discipline, endurance, preparation, and confidence from athletes long before they enter the field. Accessibility plays a direct role in that experience. Reliable transport, smooth venue movement, and barrier-free coordination influence how athletes prepare, recover, and participate during large sporting events. Over the years, para-athletes across India have continued raising the standard of sporting excellence despite infrastructural and mobility challenges. Sporting ecosystems must now evolve with the same seriousness and preparedness. Our continued engagement with para sports stems from the belief that accessibility must function as a practical, everyday system that enables equal participation with dignity, efficiency, and independence.”

PCI President, Devendra Jhajharia further added,” We are grateful to Svayam for its steadfast support in making para-sports more accessible and athlete-friendly in India. Our partnership has already demonstrated real impact and Svayam’s expertise in transport and infrastructure has helped our athletes compete with greater dignity and confidence. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, strengthen the competitive environment and ensure every para-athlete can focus on their performance, not barriers.”

This association builds on Svayam’s previous involvement in para sports events in the city. During the Regional Sports Training (RST) India 2023 programme organized jointly by the International Paralympic Committee, Paralympic Committee of India, World Para Athletics, Badminton World Federation, and Toyota, Svayam served as the Accessibility Partner. The organization coordinated accessible transport support for para-athletes, officials, and delegates from multiple countries, including airport transfers, venue connectivity, and local mobility coordination during the programme.

The 8th Open Para Athletics Championship 2026 will feature a wide range of track and field events including sprint races, relay events, long jump, shot put, discus throw, javelin, and club throw across multiple classifications. As conversations around inclusive infrastructure continue gaining national attention, collaborations between sport, accessibility, mobility, and public participation are steadily shaping stronger competitive environments for para-athletes in India.


About Svayam

Svayam is a leading accessibility organization that aims to reform infrastructure and transportation to make it accessible for people with reduced mobility. Accessibility aids individuals and gives them the freedom to independently explore the built environment around them, irrespective of their physical capabilities. This was on philanthropist-business visionary Sminu Jindal's mind when she founded Svayam in October 2000. An initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust, Svayam is a not-for-profit accessibility pioneer that focuses on creating a barrier-free world for all.

User :- Aniruddh Chatterjee

Email :-aniruddh@wishboxstudio.com