PCI President Deepa Malik has met with APC officials virtually ©PCI

Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Majid Rashed and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) counterpart Deepa Malik have met virtually to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on athletes in the country.

How athletes and the PCI are coping with the COVID-19 crisis was among the main topics during the virtual gathering, Malik's first international meeting as PCI President.

According to the PCI, Malik also informed the APC President of educational initiatives her organisation has launched amid the pandemic.

"It was quite an interesting meeting," Malik, the only Indian woman to win a medal at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro when she claimed silver in the shot put F53 event, said.

The virtual discussion was Deepa Malik's first international meeting as PCI President ©PCI
The virtual discussion was Deepa Malik's first international meeting as PCI President ©PCI

"It is nice to have this kind of bonding with our Asian federation and its officials. 

"The discussion reflected the mood of the region; that everyone is in the same boat and facing the same situation and, finding a solution together to overcome it. 

"The meeting was more about giving the APC President an update about what was happening in regard to the Paralympic Movement in the country, how our athletes are dealing with this difficult time and measures taken by NPC India."

India has recorded over 1.1 million cases of COVID-19 and at least 27,700 deaths from the virus.