CM Vijay Awards Rs 17 Crore to Sports Stars and Para Asian Games Heroes
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay awards Rs 17 crore prize money to Chief Minister’s Trophy winners and honours Para Asian Games medallists in Chennai.
In a grand celebration of athletic excellence, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay distributed a massive sum of Rs 17 crore in prize money to the victors of the Chief Minister’s Trophy. The high-profile event, held at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, served as a platform to recognize the grit and determination of the state's top sportspersons.
Honouring the Para Asian Games Champions
Beyond the state trophy winners, the ceremony was also dedicated to the extraordinary achievements of India's para-athletes. Chief Minister Vijay personally honoured the medallists of the Para Asian Games, celebrating their resilience and the glory they brought to the nation on the international stage.
India's performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 was nothing short of historic. The contingent concluded its campaign with a record-breaking haul of 114 medals, showcasing dominance across various disciplines. The medal tally included:
- Gold: 30
- Silver: 35
- Bronze: 49
These results were marked by world-record performances and podium sweeps, cementing India's position as a powerhouse in para-sports.
National Pride and Recognition
The success of the para-athletes resonated at the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his immense pride in a post on X, describing the 114-medal tally as the country's best-ever performance at the Games. The Prime Minister lauded the exceptional determination of every member of the contingent, noting that their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to millions of Indians.
This achievement surpassed the previous record of 108 medals (27 gold, 32 silver, and 49 bronze). It is worth noting that in the previous edition, India had initially secured 111 medals, but three were later stripped due to doping charges against athletes Neeraj Yadav and Parveen.
Support Systems Celebrated
The recognition of these athletes extended beyond Tamil Nadu. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Regional Centre Gandhinagar, also hosted a felicitation ceremony for the medallists who competed in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This event highlighted that victory is a collective effort, honouring not just the athletes but also the coaches and support teams whose dedication made these wins possible.
The Gandhinagar event saw the presence of key officials, including:
- Prashant Singh: Regional Director, SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar
- Bibhubhushan: Deputy Director, SAI NCOE Ahmedabad
- Smt. Ishpreet Kaur: Assistant Director, SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar
These officials praised the athletes for their perseverance and thanked the coaching staff for their pivotal role in elevating the standards of Indian para-sports.