Shubham Juyal Advocates for Broader Support for All Sports After Commonwealth Silver

Shubham Juyal, who won a silver medal in the men's F57 sitting shot put at the Commonwealth Games, calls for equal support for all sports in India. Celebrated in his hometown of Roorkee, he reflects on his achievements and expresses gratitude for the backing he received from the Indian Army and his community. Juyal aims to inspire future athletes and is determined to win a medal for India at the LA 2028 Paralympics. His journey highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting diverse sports beyond cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 7, 2026, 23:34 IST

Celebrating a Silver Medal in Para-Athletics

Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - On August 7, Shubham Juyal, who secured a silver medal in the men's F57 sitting shot put at the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, emphasized the need for Indian sports enthusiasts to extend their support beyond cricket to all athletic disciplines.

Upon his return to Roorkee in Haridwar district, Juyal, a Lance Naik in the Indian Army, was warmly welcomed by the local community celebrating his achievement.

In an interview, Juyal expressed his desire for Indians to show the same enthusiasm for various sports as they do for cricket. He took pride in representing Roorkee through his accomplishments in para-athletics, contributing to the city's sporting heritage. Juyal also mentioned his meeting with Neeraj Chopra at the Commonwealth Games and expressed hope to meet fellow Roorkee athlete Rishabh Pant in the future.

"I feel very fortunate because cricket holds a significant place in India. While I believe cricket deserves its recognition, I wish for equal support for all sports. My achievement has once again put Roorkee on the map in para-athletics, and I am thrilled to have made my city proud. I hope to continue this legacy. Although I haven't met Rishabh Pant yet, I was fortunate to meet Neeraj Chopra at the Commonwealth Games, which was a great experience," Juyal shared.

He attributed his success to the unwavering support from the Indian Army, his family, and friends. Juyal expressed his joy at receiving congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media following his victory. He is set to meet Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami later today and PM Modi on August 9.

"Prime Minister Modi has shown a keen interest in sports and has increased the budget for Khelo India. I was thrilled to receive his tweet congratulating me on my medal. I am looking forward to my meeting with Dhami Ji this evening in Dehradun, and I am equally excited about meeting PM Modi and the Army Chief afterward. Such opportunities are rare, and it brings immense joy to connect with everyone after achieving something significant," he stated.

Looking ahead, Juyal's primary goal is to earn a medal for India at the LA 2028 Paralympics, and he is determined to perform exceptionally in upcoming competitions leading to the Games.

"My ultimate aim is to secure a medal for India at the Los Angeles Paralympics. I will strive to deliver my best in all events leading up to LA 2028 to ensure better results for India," he concluded.