114 medals are the result of your tireless hard work and determination: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while describing India's historic success at the Asian Para Games as the result of the athletes' extraordinary hard work and determination, said that the journey from 14 medals to 114 reflects their tireless efforts. He said that Indian para-athletes have not only won medals with their outstanding performance but have also won the hearts of crores of compatriots. On Thursday, the Prime Minister met and interacted with the Indian medalists from the recently held Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here. He said that India had won only 14 medals, including one gold, at the 2010 Para Asian Games, whereas this time the athletes returned with 114 medals. This success is the result of their hard work, dedication to sports, and the better sports system that has been developed in the country. At the games held in Japan last month, 97 Indian para-athletes won a total of 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze. Indian athletes also set five new world records and nine Asian records during this period. The Prime Minister noted that 34 out of 56 female athletes won medals, while Indian athletes took all three medals in four events. On the final day of the competitions, India also demonstrated its dominance by winning nine gold medals.

Prime Minister Modi said that Indian athletes won gold medals in several events at these games where the country had never achieved such success before. He mentioned Mona Aggarwal's world record performance in para shooting and said that Hani also broke her previous world record. He also praised the performance of Hemanth, Roy, and Jahan, saying that these athletes have shown the world that every challenge can be faced with high spirits despite physical disabilities.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of the athletes' families, trainers, and coaches in their success. He said that coaches have to work much harder for the preparation of para-athletes compared to regular athletes, so their services also deserve special congratulations. Citing the example of Rinku, he said that she had lost her mother two months before the Asian Para Games, but despite this great shock, she did not lose heart and, after winning the gold medal, held up a picture of her mother to dedicate the success to her. This moment was emotional for the entire country. Modi said that after 2014, the country decided to move forward with big goals in the sports sector. Before that, parents were hesitant to send their children into sports because of issues such as a lack of resources, poor arrangements, lack of cooperation, and lack of transparency. The government resolved to prevent the potential of the youth from being wasted and to bring change to the sports system. Today, the youth have confidence in their abilities and are convinced that the country stands with them. He said that the performance of Indian para-athletes has been consistently improving in many sports, including archery, athletics, shooting, swimming, table tennis, badminton, judo, and powerlifting.

This time 61 athletes participated in the Asian Para Games for the first time, of whom 36 returned home with medals. Sandeep set a world record in his very first event. According to the Prime Minister, the participation of young athletes is a symbol of today's image of India and the bright future of the country. At this occasion, the Chief Minister of Sports Mansukh Mandavya, Minister of State for Sports Rukshak Khardse, coaches, the Para Lympics Committee of India and officials of the Indian Olympic Association, representatives of national sports federations, and officers of the Ministry of Youth and Sports were also present.