India all set to host Landmark International Seminar on Para Sports Classification from today at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

About 100 individuals are expected to participate in the seminar.The speakers at the seminar are Dr Halim Jebali, IPC Classifier, Penny Broomhead, IPC Classifier and Charmaine Hooper, CEO World Abilitysport from United Kingdom and Tunisia. The seminar will also feature representatives from Nepal, Maldives and Bangladesh

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: The Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI), in collaboration with World Abilitysport, is all set to start International Awareness Seminar on Classification in Para Sports, on 29–30 May 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

A Press conference was organized on Wednesday at Constitution Club Attended by Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and others.

 

According to Ms. Kavita Suresh, General Secretary, CPSFI “About 100 individuals are expected to participate in the seminar.The speakers at the seminar are Dr Halim Jebali, IPC Classifier, Penny Broomhead, IPC Classifier and Charmaine Hooper, CEO World Abilitysport from United Kingdom and Tunisia. The seminar will also feature representatives from Nepal, Maldives and Bangladesh.”

This two-day event aims to educate and empower the para sports ecosystem in India and South Asia by addressing the urgent need for trained national classifiers — a critical yet missing link in India’s journey towards inclusive and competitive para sports.

CPSFI President Rajesh Tomar emphasized, “This seminar fulfills a long-standing goal since our recognition by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — to promote classification awareness from the grassroots level. Building our own pool of classifiers will lead to fairer competition, eliminate unnecessary costs, and reduce the risk of misclassification.”

Kapil Dev said, “Few years back people doesn’t know about these sports but today awareness has increased and people are talking about them and putting efforts to provide them good platform.”

Classification is the cornerstone of the Paralympic Movement, it determines which athletes are
eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition. Classification
aims to create a level playing field where athletic excellence, rather than the degree of impairment,
determines the winner. Physiotherapists are a profile of people who fit in, to understand
classification and can become classifiers.

The objective of the seminar is to build awareness in the country on the importance of “classification”
and the need for classifiers in the para sports eco system. This seminar is a critical step in developing a previously lacking crucial human resource, a targeted effort to address a specific deficiency in the
existing para sports eco system focusing on building specific skills.

Why Classification Matters

Classification is the cornerstone of the Paralympic Movement. It determines which athletes are eligible to compete and ensures that they are grouped appropriately to create a level playing field. It is not the degree of impairment, but athletic skill and training that should decide the outcome. Currently, India lacks a single certified national classifier — resulting in limited access, high costs, and delays in athlete progression.

Seminar Objectives

The seminar is a crucial step toward:

Raising awareness of classification systems in para sports

Training and developing Indian classifiers at grassroots level

Ensuring fair play and reducing dependency on international systems

Making the classification process more accessible and cost-effective

Creating opportunities for doctors, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation experts to become certified classifiers

Who Should Attend

This seminar is especially relevant for:

Doctors, physiotherapists, rehabilitation professionals — ideal profiles to become classifiers

Sports administrators, coaches, athletes, and institutions seeking clarity on the classification process

Professionals interested in building a career in para sports officiating and international classification

Attendees will gain insights into:

What classification is and how it works

Who can become a classifier and the eligibility criteria

The process of enrollment, training, certification, and career path

Opportunities for national and international growth and contribution to para sports

Distinguished Global Experts

The seminar features world-renowned speakers:

Craig Carscadden, IPC Classifier

Penny Broomhead, IPC Classifier

Dr. Halim Jebali, IPC Classifier

Charmaine Hooper, CEO, World Abilitysport

Their expertise will offer valuable perspectives and guidance on building a sustainable classification framework.

International Participation

In addition to Indian delegates, the seminar will host official representatives from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh, fostering regional collaboration in the para sports movement.

About CPSFI
Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) is an apex body promoting sports for persons
with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions, providing them a platform and
opportunities to showcase their sporting capabilities. (www.cpsfi.org)
It is estimated that there are approximately 1.2 crore persons living with cerebral palsy in our
country. For these individuals, engaging in sports and physical activity is not merely a
recreational pursuit; it is a vital necessity. Beyond the clear benefits to their physical health,
participation in sport provides invaluable opportunities for social engagement, fostering a strong
sense of community and belonging. This active involvement has a profound positive impact on
their mental well-being, reducing isolation and promoting self-esteem.
Furthermore, for those who pursue and excel in sports at various levels of competition, it can significantly contribute to their social and economic lives, opening doors to opportunities and recognition.
We believe that supporting initiatives that promote sports for persons with cerebral palsy is
crucial in empowering them and enabling them to lead fuller, more integrated lives.
Vision
Creating Opportunities. Changing lives.
“To create a platform for people with Cerebral Palsy and related neurological conditions
to participate in adaptive sports which help improve their physical, psychological & social well
being”.
Mission
To pioneer a Cerebral Palsy Sports Movement in India.
• By building awareness, nurturing talent, training athletes and creating opportunities for compe-
titions leading to Paralympics.
• Facilitate a cerebral palsy sports experience centre which offers state-of-the-art sports facilities,
equipments, technical & classification expertise & sports science support.
• Ensure availability & affordability of sports equipments like frame runner
& boccia balls/slides.

The CPSFI Team
Chief Patron: Raj Kumar Bhargava IAS (retd)
President: Rajesh Tomar IRS (retd)
Vice President:  Rajeshwar Kumar Tyagi, IRS (retd)
Vice President: Rajender Kumar Jain
General Secretary: Kavita Suresh
Jt Secretary: Ajit Singh
Treasurer: Joseph Kuok, IRS (retd)
Executive Member Narender Pal Singh, IRS (retd)
Executive Member: Raquim Khan
Mr Kapil Dev, one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket, has been a huge supporter of CPSFI.