PM Modi hails India’s rise in para sports, jump from 14 to 114 medals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s medal winners at the recently concluded Asian Para Games in Japan on Thursday, congratulating them on their record-breaking campaign and saying their struggles and achievements have become an inspiration for the entire country.
India returned from the Aichi-Nagoya Games with an all-time best medal haulhe collected 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. A contingent of 168 athletes traveled to Japan, with 97 Indian para-athletes contributing to the historic result.
The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and State Sports Minister Raksha Khadse. Among those present were two-time gold medalist Sheetal Devi and visually impaired sprinter Simran.
In his address to the athletes, Modi highlighted India’s transformation in para sports, recalling how the country won just 14 medals, including one gold, at the 2010 Asian Para Games.
“Who would think of this route from 14 to 114?” Modi said. “This is the result of your hard work, your dedication to the sport and the entire ecosystem that has been developed.”
FROM 14 TO 114
India’s latest tally surpassed the previous best of 108 medals achieved at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. Modi pointed to the five world records and nine Asian records registered by Indian athletes in Nagoya while praising the contribution of women to the campaign.
“Of the 111 medal winners, 34 are daughters,” he said, highlighting the growing presence of women in India’s para-sports movement.
The final day proved to be particularly productive, with India collecting nine gold medals, surpassing their previous record total. Modi recalled how the athletes continued their medal run till the final stages of the competition.
“It seemed to me that you didn’t just decide to win, but as long as the games were going on, stopping the medal winning streak was simply out of the question!” he said.
ATHLETES MAKE HISTORY
Para-athletics remained India’s biggest contributor, winning 65 medals, including 22 gold. Sumit Antil led India’s smash in men’s javelin throw F42-44/61-64 combined event, won gold with a best effort of 72.46 meters. Mahendra Gurjar and Sanjay Sandeep Sargar completed the podium.
Sandeep set a world record in the men’s 400m T64 final with a time of 52.28 seconds, while Haney produced a world record throw of 60.49 meters to win the men’s javelin F37/38. Pranav Soorma added a games record in men’s club throw.
Modi also highlighted India’s progress in disciplines where the country had previously struggled to impress.
“This time our players won gold even in events where India had not achieved success before,” he said, pointing to the emergence of new champions across sports.
Parabadminton contributed 16 medals, including three gold. Nitesh Kumar beat compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the men’s SL3 singles final, while Naveen Sivakumar won the SL4 men’s singles title. Thulasimathi Murugesan also finished with three medals, including gold in the women’s doubles alongside Manasi Joshi.
The shooting saw another outstanding performance by Mona Agarwal who set a world record score of 357.5 to win the SH1 Women’s 50m by 3 positions. It was her second gold in the competition. Sheetal Devi also won two gold medals in archery, while Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi won the men’s doubles title.
SYSTEM CHANGE
Modi praised the development of India’s sports ecosystem for helping athletes get better opportunities and training at the international level. He recalled the situation before 2014 and spoke of insufficient facilities, limited resources and insufficient transparency.
“People said, ‘Nothing will ever change in this system’ and accepted it as fate. We decided not to let the dreams of our youth be crushed and stop them moving forward. We decided to change the whole system itself,” he said.
He highlighted the expansion of Khelo India centers and the support provided to para-athletes through various initiatives. Athletes involved in the Khelo India program won 41 medals at the Asian Para Games, while 61 Indian competitors made their debut at the continental event, of which 31 returned with medals.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the economic opportunities arising from the sports sector, citing the government’s approval of the over Rs 1,000 crore Khelo India manufacturing programme.
“When an Indian or foreign player enters the field, his sports gear should also be ‘Made in India’! Your clothes and shoes should also be ‘Made in India’!” he said, urging India to become a global manufacturer of sports equipment.
BEYOND THE STAGE
Modi also talked about initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for people with disabilities, including changes in pension eligibility, promotion of sign language and making education resources more accessible.
He urged the medal winners to inspire young people with their achievements and talk about their journeys while visiting colleges and educational institutions.
The Prime Minister also reminded the athletes that their success at the Asian Para Games should not become the final goal of their sports career.
“This podium is not your last milestone in life. Please keep that in mind,” he said, urging them to see this achievement as a stepping stone to greater ambitions.
“The country stands with you. I am here with you and waiting for your next victory,” Modi added.
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