World’s first high-altitude sports centre for para-athletes to be established in Leh

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the world’s first high-altitude sports centre dedicated to para-athletes in the UT.

“This initiative aims to provide specially-abled athletes with high-performance training facilities at a unique high-altitude location, enhancing their preparation and potential for international competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics” Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Hill Council said.

As per the MoU, until the centre’s completion, Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Ladakh region will undergo screening, counselling and training at Hyderabad’s Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre, managed by AMF. The high-altitude para-sports centre will offer inclusive, world-class training to para-athletes, not only from India but globally, providing them with a competitive edge unique to high-altitude training environments. The centre aligns with the larger goal of preparing para-athletes for the 2028 Paralympics and advancing their skills, confidence, and performance to excel on international platforms.

Tashi Gyalson highlighted the centre’s importance as a historic step toward inclusivity in sports for Ladakh, stating, “This centre will empower our differently-abled athletes, allowing them to train with world-class facilities and represent Ladakh with pride on global platforms.”

To facilitate the project, he announced the formation of a dedicated committee to oversee the centre’s development and directed officials to begin land identification for the facility. He further shared that 15 potential candidates from Ladakh will soon be sent for training in Hyderabad, with screenings to be held at the sub-divisional level to ensure maximum participation.