Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Archery Association of India's 'World Archery Para Series' through video conferencing on September 4, 2026. The competition is scheduled from September 5 to 9, 2026, in Ahmedabad, featuring 108 athletes from 19 countries including Bhutan, United Kingdom, China, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Indonesia, and the United States.
Shah outlined India's comprehensive vision to become the world's largest sporting hub under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. This includes developing Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and India as major centers for sports training, production of sports facilities and equipment, and emerging as global hubs in sports engineering, sports medical science, and sports injury treatment and rehabilitation. The coaching facilities at the sports center are being developed to international standards to serve both Indian and international athletes.
India's sports strategy focuses not merely on winning maximum medals but on strengthening all sports included in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Police Games, and similar competitions. Ahmedabad will host the centenary edition of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has submitted its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with confidence expressed about securing the event. Gujarat has hosted approximately 10 international sporting events between 2025 and 2026.
The Minister highlighted Indian para-archers including Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Sami, and Payal Nag who have brought glory to India at the global level. Shah emphasized that champions are made through desire to win and consistent hard work rather than just sports, practice, or coaching, with passion, dedication, and determination being the true foundation of becoming a champion.