"He Always Talks Sports": Prachi and Ancy Sojan Glow After Meeting PM Modi
Indian track stars Prachi and Ancy Sojan share their experience meeting PM Modi after their historic success at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
In a spirited gathering at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian contingent from the Asian Games 2026. The event, which brought together athletes, coaches, and officials, served as a celebration of India's impressive performance at the Aichi-Nagoya games. Among those who shared their excitement were track and field stars Prachi Choudhary and Ancy Sojan, who described the meeting as a powerful source of motivation.
A Vision for 'Viksit Bharat' and Sporting Excellence
Prachi Choudhary, who played a pivotal role in securing the gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay, spoke about the inspiring nature of the interaction. Along with teammates Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma, and Vithya Ramraj, Prachi helped India clock a winning time of 3:29.69 to claim the top spot on the podium.
Reflecting on the meeting, Prachi emphasized that the prospect of being recognized by the Prime Minister drives athletes to perform on the global stage. She highlighted PM Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and the crucial role athletes play in achieving this dream.
"He spoke of the dream of Viksit Bharat and how we need to fulfil it. Our sports infrastructure is developing a lot, and these facilities are benefiting sports children immensely," Prachi stated, adding that the rise in grassroots facilities is paving the way for India to become a global sports hub.
Personal Touch and Passion for Sports
Silver medalist Ancy Sojan, who narrowly missed the gold in the long jump by just two centimeters with a leap of 6.53m, was struck by the Prime Minister's genuine enthusiasm. Despite his demanding schedule, the PM took the time to interact personally and take photographs with the athletes.
"He is such a... what do we say, very interested in sports, I can say. He is always talking about sports, Olympics, and we were so enthusiastic about this," Sojan remarked, noting the Prime Minister's keen interest in the details of their achievements.
Tributes and Tokens of Success
The event was marked by several heartfelt gestures as athletes presented tokens of their victory to the Prime Minister:
- Women's Cricket Team: After arriving from Raipur, the gold-medal-winning squad, led by veteran batter Harmanpreet Kaur, presented a signed jersey to the PM.
- Hockey Teams: Both the men's and women's teams gifted jerseys, with women's captain Salima Tete presenting a signed hockey stick.
- Other Tributes: The PM was also felicitated with a traditional shawl and various signed sports equipment.
The ceremony was attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, alongside a large gathering of support staff and federation officials.
India's Historic Haul at Aichi-Nagoya
The interaction celebrated a landmark performance for India, which finished fourth in the overall medal standings. The contingent brought home a total of 85 medals, including:
- 21 Gold
- 27 Silver
- 37 Bronze
This result marks the second consecutive time India has finished among the top five nations at the continental event. A standout achievement was the historic gold sweep in three major team events: field hockey, cricket, and kabaddi, where all six participating teams secured gold medals.