Deepa Malik decided to end her illustrious career as she hung her boots to take up the post of the President of the Paralympic Committee of India.

50-year-old para-athlete Deepa Malik is an inspiration to millions of people across the globe. She became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympic Games when she clinched a Silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in shot put.

Recognising her contribution to the sport in India, the para-athlete was offered the post of the President of the Paralympic Committee of India. The Rio Paralympics Silver medallist had to announce her retirement from active sports to hold the post in accordance with the National Sports Code guidelines, which state that an active athlete cannot hold any official post in any federation.

Malik retired with a heavy heart but has kept a slit in the door open for coming out of retirement.

“To avoid the conflict of interest, and with a heavy heart, I have to take the decision of retirement. If I have to apply for the affiliation of the government, I have to follow the government rules. I want to focus on my duties as the President of the PCI. I do not know if the sportsperson in me will ever go away. For now, I have to retire. If I have to pursue the post in PCI, then I have to follow the law.”

If the call of forces comes into play, she said, she might rethink her decision around the 2022 Asian Games.

Her retirement had been coming for some time now as shot put and javelin in her disability category did not find a place in the next Paralympics. In the meanwhile, she also picked up an injury while throwing discus after winning a bronze at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and had to do away with the game.

Instead, she wants to redirect her focus to swimming, to keep herself fit and break her personal best record.

Her sports journey spanning over 15 years has indeed been inspiring. Deepa Malik became the first Indian woman para-athlete to be conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna last year and is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award.

Having won 58 national and 23 international medals, including the gold in the F53/54 javelin event at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai in 2018, Deepa's main focus will now be on promoting upcoming and aspirant para-athletes in India.