'14 to 114': PM Modi hails India's para-athletes after historic Asian Para Games medal haul, sets sights on 2028 LA Paralympics

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed India's para-athletes for their record-breaking performance at the 2026 Asian Para Games, describing their achievements and struggles as an inspiration for the entire country, while urging them to turn their historic success into a launch pad for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.Interacting with the medal winners at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Modi congratulated the contingent for its best-ever campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan. India finished fourth in the overall standings with 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze — won by 97 para-athletes."Your magnificent performance shows that India is emerging as a great power in the world of sports. You have not only won medals, but you have also won the hearts of millions of Indians," Modi said."Your struggles and your achievements inspire every Indian. Earlier, parents were scared of supporting their kids in sporting careers. People would say nothing can be done about this system which did not support talent but just as you did not give up, we also stayed focussed on our goals," he added.Double gold medallists, including armless archer Sheetal Devi and visually impaired sprinter Simran, attended the interaction. The athletes presented gifts to the Prime Minister, who was also seen feeding sweets to some of them. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse were present at the event.'14 to 114': Modi highlights India's rise in para-sportsModi underlined the scale of India's progress by recalling that the country had won just 14 medals, including one gold, at the 2010 edition. The latest haul also featured five world records, nine Asian records and podium sweeps by Indian athletes in four events.In a post on X, Modi highlighted India's remarkable rise from 14 medals at the 2010 edition to 114 in 2026, calling it a reflection of the immense talent and potential of the country's para-athletes. He also pointed to the campaign's five world records, nine Asian records and four podium sweeps, besides noting that 36 of the 61 debutants returned with medals.The Prime Minister also underlined the contribution of women, with 34 of the 56 female athletes winning medals. "Our athletes have shown that no dream is too big and no challenge too great when there is determination," he wrote, adding that India now stands firmly behind youngsters aspiring to pursue sports: "Now, if you have the talent, India will support you and cheer for you. Come, play and shine!"The Prime Minister also praised India's growing competitiveness across disciplines such as archery, athletics, shooting, swimming, table tennis, badminton, judo and powerlifting. He pointed out that 61 members of the contingent were making their Asian Para Games debut.Modi made special mention of javelin thrower Rinku Hooda, who dedicated his gold medal to his mother, who had died a couple of months before the Games. Rinku had lost his left arm in an accident as a young boy."You made the entire country emotional at that moment," Modi told him.LA 2028 next target for India's para-athletesModi also spoke about efforts to strengthen India's sporting ecosystem, including a sports goods manufacturing scheme worth more than Rs 1,800 crore, and urged athletes to set their sights on the next Paralympics."You should use this success as a launch pad for bigger goals. The next goal of India and most of you is Los Angeles 2028. Our goal is to have as many Indian players in LA 2028 as possible and win as many medals as possible. Celebrate this moment and start preparing for the future," he said.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.