- ARCIL’s initiative will help improve mobility, training efficiency, and on-field performance for the supported para-athletes.
- The initiative also aims to strengthen their readiness for national and international events, contributing to better representation of Indian para-athletes.
Lucknow, June 15, 2026: ARCIL, India’s first Asset Reconstruction Company, organised a mobility distribution initiative in Lucknow to support seven para-athletes including Ms. Mandeep Kaur, Ms. Sanjana Kumari, Mr. Shashank Kumar, Ms. Sumeedha Pathak, Mr. Harshvardhan Dixit, Mr. Raju Panchal and Mr. Himanshu Singh with specialised assistive devices. Support available to para-athletes in India remains limited, with many often arranging essential equipment on their own. ARCIL’s initiative seeks to address this gap as part of its ongoing CSR efforts focused on inclusion and enabling individuals to achieve their full potential.
The event was led by Mr. Phanindranath Kakarla, MD & CEO, ARCIL, along with Mr. Ameet Kela, Company Secretary & Head – CSR, and Mr. Kaushal Singh, Senior Manager – CSR. It was also attended by Gaurav Khanna, head coach of the Indian para-badminton team and a recipient of the Padma Shri and Dronacharya Award.
For this initiative, ARCIL partnered with Ottobock Healthcare India, a specialised global organisation in prosthetics, orthotics and wearable human bionics, to provide customised mobility and assistive equipment designed around the individual sporting requirements of each athlete. Ottobock is a specialised global organisation in prosthetics and mobility solutions and has been associated with the Paralympic movement globally for several decades. The partnership will also help ensure continued technical support and assistance for athletes during training and competitions.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Phanindranath Kakarla, MD & CEO, ARCIL, said, “We are pleased to support these athletes with equipment that can make a practical difference to their training and performance. They have already shown strong commitment to their sport, and we hope this support helps them move forward with greater confidence and focus.”
Speaking on the initiative, Gaurav Ruia, Prosthetist and Orthotist, Manager Clinical Services from Ottobock Lucknow said, “We are proud to collaborate with ARCIL on this initiative aimed at supporting para-athletes with specialised mobility and assistive solutions tailored to their individual sporting needs. At Ottobock, we believe access to the right equipment can play an important role in helping athletes train with greater confidence, mobility and independence. We hope this effort contributes towards strengthening a more inclusive and enabling ecosystem for para-sports in India.”
Gaurav Khanna, head coach of the Indian para-badminton team added, “Access to the right equipment is essential for athletes to train properly and compete effectively. Initiatives like this help create a more supportive environment for para-athletes and allow them to focus on improving their performance.”
The event also brought out the personal journeys behind each athlete. Families shared their experiences of supporting their children through challenges, highlighting the determination and consistency required to pursue sports at a competitive level. These moments added depth to the initiative, underscoring that while equipment is important, it is the commitment of the athletes and their families that drives progress.
ARCIL’s CSR initiatives are centred around inclusion and empowerment, with a focus on creating meaningful, on ground impact. Through this initiative, the company has supported para-athletes with customised KAFOs, prosthetic mobility solutions, carbon fibre sprinter foot support, lightweight sports wheelchairs and other advanced mobility aids to help improve movement, balance and overall performance during training and competitions. The initiative aims to contribute towards a more inclusive sporting ecosystem in India.
This initiative is expected to deliver meaningful outcomes by improving athletes’ training efficiency, mobility, and overall performance. With access to appropriate equipment, athletes can compete more consistently and at higher levels. Over time, such support can contribute to stronger representation of Indian para-athletes in national and international competitions, while also encouraging wider institutional support for the ecosystem.