New Delhi, 14 October (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with Indian athletes who participated in the 2026 Asian Games at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, October 15. The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the athletes at around 4.30 pm and address the gathering on the occasion.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the event will be attended by members of the Indian contingent, their coaches and support staff, officials of the Indian Olympic Association, representatives of national sports federations, and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

India finished fourth in the medal standings at the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning a total of 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. The country secured a place among the top five nations at the continental sporting extravaganza for the second consecutive time, reflecting India’s growing competitiveness across a range of sporting disciplines.

Indian athletes recorded several notable achievements during the Games. In addition to a historic performance in recurve archery, India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams won gold medals in the same edition of the Games. The country also secured its first-ever medals in soft tennis and mixed martial arts (MMA).

India won its maiden gold medal in the women’s trap shooting event. In weightlifting, the country claimed an Asian Games silver medal after a gap of 28 years. Indian wrestlers also achieved a significant milestone in Greco-Roman wrestling, with an athlete reaching the final and winning silver for the first time in 64 years.

The Prime Minister’s interaction with the athletes is intended to recognise the Indian contingent’s performance at the Asian Games and celebrate its achievements across various sporting disciplines. The event will also provide an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, perseverance and competitive spirit demonstrated by India’s athletes on the continental stage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar