Gold, Glory and Gratitude: PM Modi Felicitates Asian Games Heroes
PM Narendra Modi felicitates India's Asian Games 2026 athletes in New Delhi, celebrating historic gold medals and record-breaking performances.
In a grand celebration of sporting excellence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the PM Modi Asian Games 2026 contingent at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The event served as a momentous gathering for the athletes, coaches, and officials who propelled India to a formidable position on the continental stage.
A Gesture of Triumph
The atmosphere was electric as the nation's sporting stars shared their victory stories with the Prime Minister. A highlight of the event was the presence of the Indian women's cricket team, who flew in from Raipur specifically for the occasion after clinching a gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan. Veteran batter Harmanpreet Kaur led the gesture by presenting a signed jersey to the Prime Minister.
The tokens of appreciation continued as athletes gifted the Prime Minister signed jerseys and a traditional shawl. India's hockey stars also left their mark; both the men's and women's teams presented jerseys, while women's team captain Salima Tete gifted him a signed hockey stick.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The event saw a strong presence of sports administration and government leadership. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined the athletes in the seating area, while Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha were also in attendance. The gathering was a comprehensive assembly of the Indian sporting ecosystem, including support staff, IOA officials, and representatives from various National Sports Federations and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Breaking Records: India's Historic Haul
India's performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was nothing short of stellar, as the country finished fourth in the overall medal standings. The tally included a total of 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. This achievement marks the second time in a row that India has finished among the top five nations at the continental event.
Milestones That Defined the Games
Beyond the medal count, the contingent registered several historic firsts and long-awaited breakthroughs:
- Hockey Dominance: Both the men's and women's hockey teams secured gold medals in the same edition.
- Maiden Medals: India broke new ground by winning its first-ever medals in soft tennis and mixed martial arts (MMA).
- Shooting Success: The country secured its first-ever gold medal in the women's trap event.
- Ending the Drought: A silver medal in weightlifting ended a grueling 28-year wait for an Asian Games medal in that discipline.
- Wrestling History: A silver in Greco-Roman wrestling marked a massive milestone, ending a 64-year wait for an Indian finalist in the event.
- Archery Excellence: The contingent also delivered historic performances in recurve archery.