NPCDP supported Mongolians take home vital “experience”

'The benefits of the NPCDP programme not only to develop athletes and improve the quality of the training' 12 Mar 2022

Team Mongolia comprising Tsegmid Dahsdorj, Ganbold Batmunkh and Tserenpuntsag Byambadorj at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

ⒸNPC Mongolia

By IPC

Athletes from Mongolia made the most from their presence at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

The three-member team of Para athletes from the Asian country were well aware that they had very little chance to finish on the podium at this Games. Yet, they wanted to compete at the highest level to gain as much experience as possible, to encourage their fellow Para athletes back home.

Tsegmid Dahsdorj and Tserenpuntsag Byambadorj made their dream debuts while for Ganbold Batmunkh this could well be his last Games.

On their road to Beijing, they were supported with competition grants by the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) NPC Development Programme, powered by Toyota, which aims to build capacity within National Paralympic Committees around the world. Supported by the IPC’s Worldwide partnership with Toyota, the programme will reach over 140 countries.

In total, 10 athletes from seven countries – Argentina, Azerbaijan (Para Cross-Country skier Mehman Ramazanzade could not compete in the end due to a last-minute injury), Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Iran and Mongolia – received support from the NPC Development Programme.

Batmunkh said: “This is my third Paralympic Games. It was a tough challenge to come to Beijing and I have to try to do my best. Wanted to try and qualify for the semi-finals in the sprint event. Whatever experience I have gained over the years, I want to part them with my fellow Para athletes,” said Batmunkh.

Dahsdorj and Byambadorj took part in the Cross-Country events, but the duo failed to make a significant impact within the strong field.

“I was very excited as this is my first time participating in the Paralympic Games. Maybe my goal was not big, but I gave my best and tried to get reach my best result,” said Dahsdorj, who participated in the Men's Sprint Free Technique Standing and Men's Long Distance Classical Technique Standing.

Byambadorj, who took part in three Cross-Country events, said: “Everything was new and very interesting. It was great to meet new people and make new friends. The experiences from the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games will go a long way.”

Batmunkh felt that there was a lot to do for the people with disabilities in his home country.

“To recognise people with disability and give them more opportunities to have a job. To educate disabled people and give them a chance to understand if they want, they can achieve what they want.

“In Mongolia, many people with disabilities don't want to study and are waiting for someone to help them. I would say first step to change is to try by your own and not wait for someone to come and change your life,” said Batmunkh, who also revealed that in Mongolia not many people are inclined to take up snow sport and training as the equipment are also expensive.

“A very small number of Para athletes want to train in Winter Sports. Very hard conditions and very expensive equipment are also hurting us. We need more support from the government and other organisations to make some investments to develop winter sport,” added Batmunkh.

Byambadorj also stressed the need to have more accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities back home.

“Not every disabled people can train in Winter Sports. In Mongolia, the winter is very harsh and there are not many places to go and do training. We also need to create more accessible and comfortable conditions to train.”

Danzan Surenkhorloo, Chef de Mission of Team Mongolia in Beijing, hailed the opportunity provided by the NPC Development Programme saying: "This is a great opportunity for each NPC to join in the NPC Development Programme.

"The benefits of the programme not only develop athletes but also improve the quality of the training. The NPC programme's strategy is increasing the awareness of the Paralympic Movement and changing the mindset of society in Mongolia. Through this programme, our NPC is creating smart vision and supporting our Para athletes to reach their goals."