Lucknow — Two young athletes from Uttar Pradesh, Swati and Kanak Singh, have brought pride to the state and the nation by securing multiple medals at the Uganda Para-Badminton International Tournament held in Kampala from July 1 to 6, 2025. Both are students of Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, and represented India with distinction on the global stage.
Swati clinched a silver in women’s singles (SU-5), gold in women’s doubles (SL3-SU5), and bronze in mixed doubles, while Kanak Singh secured bronze medals in women’s singles (SL-4) and women’s doubles. Their performance stood out in a field of para-badminton athletes from over 50 countries, under the aegis of the Badminton World Federation.
Congratulating the duo, Minister of State for Backward Class Welfare and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Independent Charge), Narendra Kashyap, said:
“This achievement is not just personal but a milestone for our Divyangjan empowerment model. The ongoing efforts of the government to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream are yielding visible results. Swati and Kanak Singh have shown that physical limitations cannot curb talent when given opportunity, support, and resources.”
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sanjay Singh, hailed the achievement as a testament to the institution’s academic and rehabilitation efforts.
“Swati and Kanak have proven that our students can excel on any global platform. Their triumph is a beacon of inspiration for every girl and every differently-abled youth in the state,” he said.
Professor Pandey Rajeevnayan, Director of the Sports and Yoga Cell at the university, emphasized that the victory reflects the university’s strong rehabilitation policies and quality sports training. Meanwhile, their coach Irshad Ahmad expressed heartfelt pride:
“These players have shown that with dedication, hard work, and confidence, no challenge is too great. Their journey is an inspiration to society at large.”
As Uttar Pradesh continues to nurture talent through inclusive policies and support systems, Swati and Kanak’s global victory signals a bright and empowering future for India’s para-athletes.
