PM Modi meets Indian athletes following 2026 Asian Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Indian contingent at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi to celebrate the nation’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. India achieved a historic fourth-place finish in the overall standings, securing 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze.

Notable achievements from the games included gold medals for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams, as well as India’s first medals in soft tennis and mixed martial arts. In shooting, the nation earned its first gold in the women’s trap event. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secured a silver, marking India’s first weightlifting silver at the Asian Games in 28 years, while Indian wrestlers reached a Greco-Roman wrestling final, ending a 64-year wait.

During the meeting, athletes such as Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu expressed gratitude for government support and enhanced sports infrastructure. Chanu specifically noted the benefits of training facilities at SAI centers and used the platform to encourage youth to stay away from drugs.