PM Modi's Personal Touch Inspires Para-Athletes and Youth, Says Raksha Khadse
Union Minister Raksha Khadse highlights how PM Modi's personal touch inspires Indian para-athletes and youth to excel in sports.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, has emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal interactions with Indian para-athletes serve as a powerful catalyst, not only motivating the athletes themselves but also inspiring the youth across India to pursue sports.
These remarks came after Prime Minister Modi met with the members of India's Asian Para Games 2026 contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. During the interaction, the Prime Minister congratulated the athletes for their historic achievement in Aichi-Nagoya, where India secured a record-breaking 114 medals, finishing fourth in the overall standings.
A Personal Connection That Drives Excellence
Speaking to ANI, Raksha Khadse highlighted the unique approach the Prime Minister takes with the sporting community. She noted that PM Modi often knows the athletes by their names and engages with them on a personal level, which creates a deep sense of motivation.
"PM Modi motivates para-athletes. PM knows almost all athletes by their names and speaks to them personally. When para-athletes win medals, they motivate the youth of the country and get to learn from them," Khadse stated.
The Minister stressed that for the government, para-athletes are just as vital as any other sportspersons. She asserted that the government remains fully committed to providing all the necessary facilities and support that athletes deserve to excel on the global stage.
Expanding India's Sporting Horizon
Minister Khadse observed a positive shift in India's sporting culture, noting that the country is now winning medals in various disciplines beyond cricket. She believes that the success of these athletes encourages the younger generation to view sports as a viable and prestigious path, driving the vision of India becoming a "sporting nation."
Looking ahead, the Minister expressed strong confidence in the performance of Indian athletes at the upcoming Los Angeles Games, expecting a significant medal haul based on the current momentum.
A Historic Campaign: The Asian Para Games 2026
India's performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 was a landmark event, with the country securing 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze medals. This total of 114 medals surpassed the previous record of 108 medals achieved at the 2022 Hangzhou edition. Remarkably, this success was achieved with a smaller contingent of 168 para-athletes, compared to the 309 who competed in the previous Games.
Key Highlights of the Performance:
- Para-Badminton: Nitesh Kumar secured gold in the men's singles SL3 final after defeating Pramod Bhagat. In the women's doubles SL3-SU5, the duo of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi clinched the title.
- Para-Archery: Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi brought home gold in the men's recurve doubles, while Pooja Jatyan and Bhawna Choudhary earned silver in the women's event.
- Para-Athletics: India witnessed world-record feats, with Haney winning gold in the men's javelin F37/38 and Sandeep winning the men's 400m T64 title. In a dominant display, India swept all three medals in the men's javelin F42-F44/F61-F64 event, with Sumit (Gold), Mahendra Gurjar (Silver), and Sandip Sanjay Sargar (Bronze).
- Para-Shooting: Mona Agarwal achieved a historic milestone by winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1, setting both world and Asian Para Games records.
This record-breaking haul underscores India's rapidly growing strength and dominance across various para-sporting disciplines on the continental stage.