TN Minister Honors Asian Games 2026 Medalists in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna felicitates Asian Games 2026 medal winners in Chennai and announces new sports hostels for all 38 districts.
In a grand ceremony held at the Nehru Stadium in Periyamet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna officially felicitated the stellar athletes who secured medals at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The event celebrated the historic achievements of the state's sporting icons who brought glory to the nation on the international stage.
Squash Stars Shine at the Forefront
The squash contingent emerged as major highlights of the ceremony. Abhay Singh was honored for his spectacular performance, securing a silver medal in the men’s singles event. His success was complemented by a bronze medal in the men’s team event, achieved alongside teammates Veer Chotrani, Velavan Senthilkumar, and Suraj Kumar Chand.
The accolades continued with Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa, who teamed up to clinch a bronze medal in the mixed doubles squash event. The Minister lauded their dedication, stating, “These are the people who inspire us.”
Athletics Triumph and Future Infrastructure
The ceremony also recognized the achievements of the track and field athletes. Rajesh Ramesh was felicitated for his role in the bronze-winning 4x100m relay team, alongside Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa, and Shamina Riaz.
Looking toward the future of sports in the state, Minister Aadhav Arjuna shared several key updates regarding infrastructure and athlete support:
- New Sports Hostels: The Minister announced that dedicated sports hostels will soon be established across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Facility Upgrades: Work is currently underway to install air-conditioning in various sports facilities to provide better training environments.
- CM's Recognition: A special dinner will be hosted by Chief Minister MK Stalin to honor the Asian Games medal winners in a formal meeting.
India's Performance at the Asian Games 2026
India concluded its campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games with a significant haul of 85 medals, comprising 21 golds, 27 silvers, and 37 bronzes. While this total was slightly lower than the 106 medals won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, the campaign was marked by historic triumphs.
India’s campaign saw defining moments through a clean sweep of gold medals in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey. This performance placed India fourth in the overall medal standings, following dominant displays by China (341 medals), Japan (269 medals), and South Korea (150 medals).