New Delhi, Oct 12 (UNI) The over 300-strong Indian contingent for the fourth Asian Para Games was given a warm send-off in the national capital on Thursday.
The Games are slated to be held at Hangzhou, China, from October 22-28.
India will participate in seventeen disciplines, including five sports — Canoe, Blind Football, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, and Taekwondo — for the very first time.

The contingent of 309 athletes includes 196 males and 113 females.
The send-off ceremony was graced by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur and IndianOil Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya.
On the occasion, the memorabilia jerseys were presented to the dignitaries by Flagbearers of the contingent
.
In his address, Puri expressed his support for India's para-athletes, saying, "This contingent is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our para-sports stars. Their determination, passion, and talent know no bounds.


“As they embark on this monumental journey, they carry with them the aspirations of a nation. This send-off ceremony is our way of saying we believe in you, and we are confident that you will create history in the 4th Asian Para Games,” he said.
Thakur said: "As a government, we stand firmly behind them and are excited to see them make India proud."
Vaidya said IndianOil was supporting the contingent as that aligns with the company’s value of “Nation-First”.

Deepa Malik, President of the Paralympic Committee of India said: "The path these athletes have walked has been filled with dedication, unwavering determination, and countless hours of hard work. Their participation in the 4th Asian Para Games is a testament to their unbreakable spirit and the support of IndianOil, the government, and all well-wishers who have been by their side."
The Indian athletes would compete in the Para Games days after the country’s historic performance in the Asian Games where India picked up 107 medals. UNI BM SSP