PM Modi hails India's para-sports rise, highlights leap from 14 to 114 medals

PM Narendra Modi congratulated India's para-athletes for their record 114-medal haul at the Asian Para Games, highlighting the country's remarkable rise from 14 medals in 2010. He credited their determination and the development of India's sporting ecosystem for the progress.PM Modi addressed India's athletes who took part in the Asian Para Games 2026. (Image: Screengrab/Youtube)New Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 18:00 ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met India's medal winners from the recently concluded Asian Para Games in Japan, congratulating them for their record-breaking campaign and saying their struggles and achievements had become an inspiration for the entire country.India returned from the Aichi-Nagoya Games with its best-ever medal haul, collecting 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. A contingent of 168 athletes travelled to Japan, with 97 Indian para-athletes contributing to the historic tally.The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse. Among those present were double gold-medallists Sheetal Devi and visually impaired sprinter Simran.Addressing the athletes, Modi highlighted India's transformation in para-sports, recalling how the country had won just 14 medals, including one gold, at the 2010 Asian Para Games. "Who would have thought of this journey from 14 to 114?" Modi said. "This is the result of your hard work, your dedication towards the sport, and the entire ecosystem that has been developed."FROM 14 TO 114India's latest tally surpassed its previous best of 108 medals, achieved at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. Modi pointed to the five world records and nine Asian records registered by Indian athletes in Nagoya, while also acknowledging the contribution of women to the campaign. "Out of the 111 medal winners, 34 are daughters," he said, highlighting the growing presence of women in India's para-sport movement.The final day proved particularly productive, with India collecting nine gold medals to take its overall tally beyond the previous record. Modi recalled how the athletes continued their medal-winning run until the competition's final stages."It felt like you hadn't just decided to win, but as long as the Games were ongoing, stopping the streak of winning medals was simply not an option!" he said.ATHLETES MAKE HISTORYPara-athletics remained India's biggest contributor, accounting for 65 medals, including 22 gold. Sumit Antil led an Indian sweep in the men's javelin throw F42-44/61-64 combined event, winning gold with a best effort of 72.46 metres. Mahendra Gurjar and Sanjay Sandeep Sargar completed the podium.Sandeep set a world record in the men's 400m T64 final with a time of 52.28 seconds, while Haney produced a world-record throw of 60.49 metres to win the men's javelin F37/38 event. Pranav Soorma added a Games record in the men's club throw.Modi also highlighted India's progress in disciplines where the country had previously struggled to make an impression."This time our players won gold even in events where India hadn't achieved success before," he said, pointing to the emergence of new champions across sports.Para-badminton contributed 16 medals, including three gold. Nitesh Kumar defeated compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the men's singles SL3 final, while Naveen Sivakumar won the men's singles SL4 title. Thulasimathi Murugesan also finished with three medals, including gold in women's doubles alongside Manasi Joshi.Shooting produced another standout performance through Mona Agarwal, who set a world record with a score of 357.5 to win the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event. It was her second gold of the competition. Sheetal Devi also won two gold medals in archery, while Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi claimed the men's doubles recurve title.CHANGING THE SYSTEMModi credited the development of India's sporting ecosystem for helping athletes access better opportunities and international-level training. Recalling the situation before 2014, he spoke about inadequate facilities, limited resources and a lack of transparency."People used to say, 'Nothing will ever change in this system,' and accepted it as destiny. We decided we wouldn't let the dreams of our youth be crushed and stopped from moving forward. We resolved to change the entire system itself," he said.He pointed to the expansion of Khelo India centres and the support extended to para-athletes through various initiatives. Athletes associated with the Khelo India programme won 41 medals at the Asian Para Games, while 61 Indian competitors made their debut at the continental event, with 31 returning with medals.The Prime Minister also highlighted the economic opportunities emerging from the sports sector, referring to the government's approval of a Khelo India manufacturing scheme worth more than Rs 1,000 crore."When an Indian or foreign player steps onto the field, their sports gear should also be 'Made in India'! Your clothes and shoes should also be 'Made in India'!" he said, calling for India to become a global producer of sporting equipment.BEYOND THE PODIUMModi also spoke about initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for persons with disabilities, including changes to pension eligibility, the promotion of sign language and making educational resources more accessible.He urged the medal winners to use their achievements to inspire young people and speak about their journeys when visiting colleges and educational institutions.The Prime Minister also reminded the athletes that their Asian Para Games success should not become the final destination of their sporting careers."This podium is not your final milestone in life. Please keep this in mind," he said, urging them to treat the achievement as a launching pad for bigger ambitions."The country stands with you. I am right here with you, waiting for your next victory," Modi added.- Ends