India Inaugurates First Mondo Track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

New Delhi, August 29 (PTI) - On Friday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India's first-ever Mondo Track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, set to host the World Para-Athletics Championships from September 26 to October 5. With this inauguration, India joins a distinguished group of 25 nations that utilize the advanced track surface used at prestigious global athletics events, including the Olympics.

Prominent figures in Indian athletics attended the event, including World Championship bronze medalist Anju Bobby George, two-time Paralympic champion and Paralympic Committee of India head Devendra Jhajharia, as well as several medal-winning Paralympians like javelin thrower Sumit Antil, and sprinters Preethi Pal and Simran Sharma. The new track is made of two-layered vulcanized rubber, praised for its uniform elasticity, shock absorption, and anti-slip qualities, enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury risk.

Mandaviya expressed optimism about the facility's potential to elevate Indian sports. "It's a proud moment for the nation now that India has its own Mondo Track. In the near future, it will host its first competition, and India will bid for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and Olympics 2036, with hopes of getting approved," he remarked to reporters.

The Minister emphasized the government's long-term vision for Indian sports, stating, "Our aim is to become a sporting powerhouse by 2047." He outlined plans for nurturing talent and improving infrastructure to achieve this ambitious goal.

Devendra Jhajharia expressed his pleasure at the inauguration, noting, "As a player, I always aspired to throw a javelin on a Mondo Track, and now, as an administrator, its inauguration fills me with pride. This facility will help Indian athletes thrive," he commented during his media address.

He also extended warm wishes to the nation on National Sports Day, saying, "Today, we all pledged to stay fit and contribute to making India a fitter nation." After the inauguration, Minister Mandaviya and guests toured the newly-laid track and engaged in a game of football, where the Minister emerged as the top scorer with two goals.

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