An athlete support initiative focused on empowering Para athletes in India
- Applications for the new cycle of the Samarth Para Sports Programme are open from 19th June 2026 to 30th June 2026
- Applications open for: Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton and Para Canoe
- Application Submission Link[1]
Gurugram | June 19, 2026: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), in partnership with the GoSports Foundation, under ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative, has opened applications for year 2026–27 of Samarth Para Sports Programme. Aimed at empowering India’s Para athletes, this high-performance athlete support initiative provides comprehensive assistance and resources through holistic and long-term development support.
Entering its third year, the Samarth Para Sports Programme in partnership with GoSports Foundation, continues to build upon two years of significant progress in athlete development, performance excellence and measurable impact within India’s Para sports ecosystem. Since its inception, the programme has supported and continues to support athletes across Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Swimming, Para Archery, Wheelchair Tennis and Para Canoe through a personalised athlete-support framework focused on long-term high-performance development.
Sharing his views on the Programme, Mr. Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Through the Samarth Para Sports Programme, we are committed to building a stronger and more inclusive sporting ecosystem for Para athletes in India. The encouraging progress and international achievements of supported athletes over the last two years have further reinforced the impact of sustained and long-term support. As we enter the third year of the programme, our focus remains on nurturing future champions and contributing meaningfully to India’s growing Para sports movement.”
Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Saugato Banerjee, CEO, GoSports Foundation, said, “We, at GoSports Foundation, have always believed that Para athletes in India deserve access to the same level of structured, high-performance support available to elite athletes globally. Through the Samarth Para Sports Programme launched in 2023, we have seen the positive impact of timely interventions and athlete-centric support systems on performance, confidence and long-term development. We are grateful to Hyundai Motor India Foundation for believing in this vision and for helping us create meaningful opportunities for Para athletes across the country.”
The Samarth Para Sports Programme has delivered significant results both nationally and internationally. Four Samarth Para Sports programme supported athletes represented India at the Paralympics in 2024, marking a major milestone for the programme within its first two years.
Since the launch of the programme, Samarth athletes collectively won 114 medals, including 52 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze medals. This includes 48 national medals and 66 international medals, reflecting the programme’s growing impact on athlete performance and India’s Para sports ecosystem. The initiative has further facilitated athlete breakthroughs by implementing high-performance interventions tailored to specific requirements.
Bhavik Bharwad (Para track and field athlete) secured multiple international gold medals and recorded a personal best of 48.95 seconds in 400m, while Sakshi Kasana (Para athlete in the F55 Discus Throw and Javelin Throw) earned gold at the WPA New Delhi Grand Prix and reached the finals at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, alongside competing at the Paralympics in 2024. Yash Kumar made history as the first Indian male Para canoeist at the Paralympics and was honoured with the Laxman Award in 2025, while Palak Kohli was given the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, the highest state honour in Punjab along with Rachana Patel receiving a nomination for the Eklavya Award in 2026, reflecting the programme’s impact in nurturing excellence and recognition in Para sports.
As the programme enters its third year, the focus now expands towards identifying and supporting the next generation of Indian Para athletes through a structured application and selection process for the upcoming cycle.
Applications for the 2026–27 Cycle
Applications for the new cycle of the Samarth Para Sports Programme are open from 19th June 2026 to 30th June 2026.
The upcoming cycle will accept applications from athletes competing in:
- Para Archery
- Para Athletics
- Para Badminton
- Para Canoe
Applicants must:
- Hold a Valid National (National Paralympic Committee) Classification
- Be above 16 years of age
- Male and Female
- Have at least 1 top 3 finish in the last three National Championships (since 2023)
- Be Indian residents