SportsPosted at: Nov 2 2026 11:07AM


Noida initiative backs para champions with cash rewards, talent pipeline

Noida, Nov 2 (UNI) Recognising sporting excellence is only half the battle; building a system that produces champions is the bigger challenge. With this focus, Gauri Shiksha Foundation and Prometheus Sports Academy have honoured India's Asian Para Games 2026 medallists while unveiling a renewed push to identify and nurture sporting talent from the grassroots.
The initiative brought together elite para-athletes and emerging sporting talent at the prize distribution ceremony of the second edition of the Noida Sports Talent Hunt, held at Prometheus School, Sector 131, Noida.
In a gesture recognising their international achievements, the organisers awarded Rs one lakh to each gold medallist, Rs 75,000 to silver medallists and Rs 50,000 to bronze medallists.
Among the star attractions were Praveen Kumar, gold medallist in men's high jump T64, and Simran Sharma, who clinched two gold medals in the women's 100m and 200m T12 events.
Double silver medallist Preeti Pal, along with Surya Kant Yadav, Swati Chaudhary, Varun Singh Bhati, Ajeet Singh, Ashok Malik, Bhawna Choudhary and Nitesh Kumar, were also felicitated for their contributions to India's para-sports achievements.
Beyond the cash rewards, the event carried a larger message: India's next generation of international champions must be built through sustained investment in grassroots participation, coaching and sporting infrastructure.
Mukesh Sharma, Founder Chairperson of Prometheus School and Founder Trustee of Gauri Shiksha Foundation, emphasised that sporting excellence cannot be developed overnight and requires early identification of talent, consistent training and encouragement from families.
He urged parents to motivate children to take up competitive sports, pointing out that institutional support and access to quality facilities are crucial in transforming potential into performance.
Highlighting the infrastructure at Prometheus Sports Academy, Sharma referred to its eight indoor badminton courts, 15-table table tennis arena, Olympic-sized swimming pool, shooting ranges and gymnastics facilities. He also acknowledged the contribution of organisations such as Olympic Gold Quest in supporting India's elite athletes.
The Noida Sports Talent Hunt is designed to go beyond a one-time competition, offering promising young athletes scholarships, professional coaching and structured development opportunities to help them progress towards higher levels of competition.
By bringing established para-sports champions into the spotlight alongside emerging talent, the organisers seek to create a pathway connecting grassroots participation with international success.
The larger ambition, they said, is to strengthen India's sporting ecosystem and prepare a new generation of athletes capable of representing the country at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Noida initiative backs para champions with cash rewards# talent pipeline
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