Prime Minister Narendra Modi met members of the Indian contingent that participated in the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, October 15, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. During the interaction, the Prime Minister congratulated the medal winners for their achievements in Japan and highlighted the growing contribution of women athletes to India’s sporting success.
India finished fourth in the overall medal standings at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, securing 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. The performance marked India’s second-best medal tally in Asian Games history, following the country’s record-breaking campaign at Hangzhou in 2023, where Indian athletes won 106 medals.
One of the key highlights of Modi’s address was the performance of Indian women athletes. The Prime Minister pointed out that women accounted for 38 of India’s 85 medals, including 11 gold medals. He described the achievement as a reflection of a changing India, where women are increasingly making their mark on the international sporting stage.
The meeting brought together athletes from different sporting disciplines, along with their coaches, support staff and sports officials. It offered an opportunity to celebrate India’s achievements while recognising the hard work, discipline and determination required to compete at the highest level.
PM Modi highlights women’s contribution to India’s medal tally
Addressing the athletes, Modi praised their dedication and said that meeting so many medal winners together was a special occasion. He noted that their achievements demonstrated how passion, commitment and consistent effort could translate into success on the international stage.
The Prime Minister’s remarks about women athletes carried particular significance. Of India’s 85 medals at the 2026 Asian Games, 38 came from women competitors, including 11 gold medals. Their performances underlined the increasingly important role women are playing in Indian sport.
The medal tally also highlighted India’s progress across a wide range of disciplines. Athletes competed in traditional strengths such as shooting, athletics, wrestling and archery, while Indian teams also delivered impressive results in cricket, hockey and kabaddi.
For Indian women’s sport, the campaign produced several memorable moments. The women’s hockey team won gold, ending a 44-year wait for the title at the Asian Games. The women’s cricket team also secured gold, adding to India’s success in team competitions.
Modi’s message was clear: these achievements represent more than individual victories. They reflect the growing ambitions of young athletes and the efforts being made to give them greater opportunities to succeed.
Women’s hockey team ends 44-year wait for Asian Games gold
The Indian women’s hockey team’s gold medal was among the standout achievements of the tournament. The victory ended a 44-year wait for the team to win the Asian Games title and represented a major milestone for Indian hockey.
Praising the players, Modi highlighted the patience and perseverance required to achieve such a result. He emphasised that significant sporting victories rarely happen overnight and are built through years of preparation, hard work and belief.
The team’s achievement is particularly important because Asian Games success can play a crucial role in determining qualification pathways for major international competitions. Winning the continental title also provides valuable momentum as the players prepare for future tournaments.
Indian women’s hockey has experienced both promising performances and difficult periods over the years. The latest gold medal offers fresh encouragement to players, coaches and young girls who aspire to represent India internationally.
The achievement also reinforces the importance of maintaining investment in coaching, fitness, sports science and grassroots development. Sustained success depends not only on talented players but also on the systems that support them throughout their careers.
Indian hockey and cricket teams present signed jerseys to PM Modi
The interaction also featured a special gesture from India’s successful team-sport athletes. The men’s and women’s hockey teams, along with the men’s and women’s cricket teams that won gold at the Asian Games, presented signed jerseys to the Prime Minister.
The jerseys served as mementoes of their achievements in Aichi-Nagoya and recognised the contribution of players who helped India succeed in high-pressure team competitions.
Both Indian cricket teams continued their strong performances in the continental tournament. The women’s team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final, while the men’s team beat Pakistan by 19 runs to secure gold.
India also enjoyed a successful campaign in hockey and kabaddi, winning gold in both the men’s and women’s competitions. These results demonstrated the country’s ability to compete across individual and team events.
The presentation of signed jerseys added a personal touch to the meeting, allowing the athletes to share a part of their Asian Games journey with the Prime Minister.
India wins 85 medals at Asian Games 2026
India’s final tally of 85 medals included 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals. The country finished fourth in the standings, maintaining its position among Asia’s leading sporting nations.
Although the tally was lower than India’s record 106 medals at the 2023 Asian Games, the 2026 campaign produced several historic achievements.
Archery was one of India’s strongest disciplines, with the contingent winning nine medals, including five gold. Shooting contributed 15 medals, while athletics produced 24 medals, making it one of the largest contributors to India’s overall tally.
Indian athletes also achieved important milestones in other sports. Kumkum Anil Mohod won a historic individual recurve gold, while Neeru Dhanda secured India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in the women’s trap event. India also won its first Asian Games medals in soft tennis and mixed martial arts.
These performances showed that India’s medal-winning potential is expanding beyond its established strengths. Success in emerging disciplines can encourage more young athletes to explore different sports and broaden the country’s talent pool.
At the same time, the results have highlighted areas requiring further improvement. Consistency in international competition, injury prevention, athlete development and stronger performances in disciplines where India fell short will remain important priorities ahead of future multi-sport events.
PM Modi says the country stands behind its athletes
During his address, Modi also spoke about the support Indian athletes receive throughout their sporting journeys. He said the country had made sustained efforts over the past 10 to 12 years and that athletes increasingly had confidence that the nation stood behind them.
International medals often attract attention after an event, but the journey to the podium involves years of training, sacrifices, financial challenges and personal commitment. Coaches, families, physiotherapists and support staff also play a significant role in helping athletes achieve their goals.
Recognition from national leaders can provide encouragement, but long-term progress will depend on ensuring that athletes have access to quality facilities, competitive opportunities and professional support throughout their careers.
For young Indians watching the Asian Games champions, the achievements offer an example of what can be accomplished through persistence and dedication. The success of women athletes is particularly encouraging for girls who want to pursue sport professionally while challenging traditional barriers.
India’s fourth-place finish at Aichi-Nagoya provides a strong foundation, but the next challenge is to build on the momentum and convert more promising performances into medals at future international competitions.
As India looks ahead to upcoming sporting events, the focus will remain on developing young talent, improving performance standards and creating a stronger pipeline of medal contenders.
The interaction between PM Modi and the Asian Games medal winners was therefore more than a celebration of the 85-medal haul. It was also an opportunity to recognise the people behind the achievements and underline the importance of continued support for Indian sport.
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