NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with the Indian contingent that participated in the Asian Para Games 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, congratulating the athletes on their performance and urging them to set their sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Addressing the contingent, Modi highlighted India’s progress in para-sports, noting that the country’s medal tally had risen from 14 at the 2010 edition to 114 at the 2026 Games. The contingent secured 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, besides setting five world records and nine Asian records.
He said 34 of the 56 women athletes won medals, while Indian participants secured all three podium positions in four events. The contingent also won nine gold medals on the final day of the competition.
Congratulating the athletes, their families, coaches and trainers, Modi said their achievements reflected years of hard work and dedication. He also highlighted individual performances, including Mona Agarwal’s world record in para-shooting and the achievements of other athletes who won medals in events where India had not previously secured gold.
The Prime Minister said 36 of the 61 debutants at the Games won medals, while Sandeep set a world record on his debut. He also noted that athletes supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) won 41 medals, while Khelo India athletes secured 19.
Modi said the government was working to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through grassroots initiatives, Khelo India Centres and international-standard training facilities. Referring to his recent address from the Red Fort, he said he had urged young people to participate in a nationwide talent hunt campaign with the Olympics in focus.
He said sports played an important role in personality development and nation-building by instilling discipline, teamwork and the ability to overcome setbacks.
Highlighting opportunities beyond competitive sports, Modi said the sector was generating employment in infrastructure development, sports equipment manufacturing and broadcasting.
He referred to the government’s approval of the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme, with an outlay of more than ₹1,800 crore, and called upon domestic manufacturers to produce equipment, apparel and footwear capable of meeting international standards.
He said India’s ambition should be to produce world-class athletes as well as manufacture world-class sports equipment, adding that the government wanted sports gear used by Indian and international athletes to carry the ‘Made in India’ tag.
The Prime Minister also highlighted government initiatives for persons with disabilities, including changes to disability pension eligibility, the expansion of Indian Sign Language resources and measures to improve accessibility under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.
Concluding his address, Modi urged the athletes to use their achievements to inspire young people during visits to schools, colleges and other institutions. He said the Aichi-Nagoya podium should be treated as a stepping stone towards the Los Angeles 2028 Games and called for preparations to begin with the aim of improving India’s participation and medal tally.
He also noted that Avani and Manish had already secured quotas for the 2028 Games and wished the contingent success in its future endeavours.
