PM Modi Hails Asian Games Champions, Eyes Global Sporting Glory

• PM Modi congratulates India’s Asian Games contingent
• Indian athletes win 85 medals, including 11 women’s golds
• Hockey teams secure historic Asian Games gold medals
• PM Modi calls for stronger grassroots sports development

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Oct: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with the Indian contingent that participated in the Asian Games 2026, congratulating athletes for their performances and calling their achievements a source of pride for the nation. PM Modi said the champions had made the Tricolour fly high and strengthened India’s sporting identity on the international stage.

Addressing the athletes, PM Modi praised the contribution of players, coaches, support staff and families, saying the success belonged to the entire country. He urged the contingent to continue setting new records, nurturing champions across disciplines and raising India’s profile in global sports.

PM Modi also paid tribute to former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary, recalling how his life and vision continued to inspire the nation.

Historic Performances Across Disciplines
PM Modi highlighted several achievements from the Asian Games, including gold medals for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams. The women’s team ended a 44-year wait for gold, while both Indian cricket teams won medals and the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams secured gold.

He also praised India’s five gold medals in archery, strong performances in shooting, boxing and wrestling, new athletics records, a weightlifting medal after 28 years, and the country’s first Asian Games marathon success since 1982.

Women athletes played a major role in the campaign, winning 38 of India’s 85 medals, including 11 golds. PM Modi said their achievements reflected the growing strength of women in Indian sport.

He also celebrated Indian athletes winning Asian Games medals for the first time in disciplines such as mixed martial arts, soft tennis and certain sailing events.

Investment in India’s Sporting Ecosystem
PM Modi credited the transformation in Indian sports to sustained efforts over the past decade, including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India and increased support for sports federations and grassroots programmes.

He highlighted the expansion of training centres, stadiums, athletics tracks, football and hockey grounds, multipurpose halls and swimming pools. Under TOPS, athletes receive financial assistance, including a monthly out-of-pocket allowance of ₹50,000 for eligible beneficiaries, while support is also available for international coaching when required.

PM Modi stressed the importance of identifying talent early through Khelo India and Emerging Khelo India, particularly among children aged five to 15. He pointed to the achievements of athletes aged 15 to 17 as evidence of the value of early training and sustained preparation.

Looking ahead, PM Modi referred to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, India’s hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the country’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics. He also highlighted plans for village-level talent identification to widen the pool of future champions.

Athletes Urged to Inspire the Next Generation
PM Modi encouraged medal winners to visit schools, return to their hometowns and interact with children at local playgrounds. He said sharing their experiences could motivate young people to pursue sports and help identify future talent.

He also underlined the wider benefits of sport, including discipline, resilience, teamwork and the ability to recover from setbacks. The growing sports ecosystem, he added, was creating employment opportunities in coaching, physiotherapy, sports management and broadcasting.

Concluding the interaction, PM Modi expressed confidence that India could emerge as a global sporting powerhouse. He called on athletes to carry the Tricolour’s pride into future competitions and contribute to the broader vision of a developed India by 2047.