PM Modi Inspires Young Athletes with Para-Athletes' Success at Asian Games
Motivating the Next Generation of Athletes
On November 5, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, emphasized the significant impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's engagement with Indian para-athletes. She noted that these interactions not only motivate the athletes but also inspire youth across the nation to pursue sports, highlighting the crucial role of para-athletes in India's sporting narrative.
During a meeting at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, PM Modi congratulated the Indian contingent for their remarkable achievements at the Asian Para Games 2026, where India secured an impressive fourth place with a total of 114 medals.
In her remarks, Khadse stated that PM Modi's personal connections with para-athletes serve as a source of motivation for them and encourage young individuals to engage in sports. She reiterated the government's commitment to providing essential facilities for athletes and expressed optimism about their performance at the upcoming Los Angeles Games, recalling India's success at the Asian Para Games.
Khadse remarked, "PM Modi knows many athletes by name and engages with them personally. Their victories inspire the youth, showing them that they too can excel in sports and bring glory to India. The government is dedicated to fostering a sporting culture, and we are witnessing a rise in achievements beyond cricket. Our efforts are focused on encouraging youth participation in sports."
She expressed confidence that Indian para-athletes and other competitors would excel in Los Angeles, building on their success at the Asian Para Games, where they achieved a record of 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze medals, surpassing their previous best of 108 medals from the 2022 Hangzhou edition.
The Indian contingent at the Games consisted of 168 para-athletes, a notable reduction from the 309 who participated in the last event. The campaign showcased outstanding performances across various disciplines, including para-badminton, where reigning Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar triumphed in the men's singles SL3 final, and Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi secured gold in women's doubles SL3-SU5.
In para-archery, Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi clinched gold in men's recurve doubles, while Pooja Jatyan and Bhawna Choudhary earned silver in the women's category. India also made headlines in para-athletics, with Haney winning gold in men's javelin F37/38 and Sandeep taking the title in men's 400m T64. The country swept the podium in men's javelin F42-F44/F61-F64, with Sumit, Mahendra Gurjar, and Sandip Sanjay Sargar winning gold, silver, and bronze respectively.
Mona Agarwal also made history in para-shooting, winning gold in women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 and setting new world and Asian Para Games records. India's impressive 114-medal tally underscores its growing prowess in para-sports.