PM Modi to Para Games heroes: Make LA 2028 Paralympics the next target
Synopsis
PM Modi's message to India's Asian Para Games heroes was blunt: Aichi-Nagoya is a launchpad, not a destination. With Avani and Manish already holding LA 2028 quota spots and a broader talent hunt underway, India is signalling serious intent for the Paralympics — and the Prime Minister wants the entire contingent in the conversation.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi met India's 2026 Asian Para Games contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex , New Delhi , on 5 November 2026 .
Modi urged athletes to target maximum participation and maximum medals at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles .
Athletes Avani and Manish have already secured their LA 2028 quota spots.
The PM highlighted Khelo India centres and the TOPS scheme as cornerstones of India's sports ecosystem.
Modi also cited a nationwide youth talent hunt campaign announced from the Red Fort this year, with Olympics as the focus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 November 2026 met the Indian contingent of the 2026 Asian Para Games at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, urging the athletes to channel their success at the recently concluded Aichi-Nagoya Para Games into a focused campaign for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. The interaction underscored the government's push to build on a strong para-sports showing ahead of one of the world's biggest sporting stages.
What the Prime Minister Said
'The podium at Aichi-Nagoya is not the final stop of your journey. You must use this success as a launching pad for even greater goals. The next goal for India and most of you is LA 2028. Avani and Manish have already secured their quotas for LA,' Modi said in his address to the athletes.
He called on the contingent to maximise India's presence at the upcoming Games. 'Our goal should be that a maximum number of Indian athletes participate in LA 2028 and bring home the maximum number of medals. Therefore, all of you should celebrate this moment to the fullest and, right from now, get busy preparing for what lies ahead,' he added.
Diwali and the Road Ahead
Invoking the festive season, the Prime Minister urged the athletes to draw motivation from the celebrations while keeping their eyes on future goals. 'The grand festival of Diwali has already begun. This time, celebrate Diwali with great pride, joy, and splendour. But during Diwali itself, set the target for your next journey in your mind and step forward with new resolve,' Modi said.
India's Broader Sports Ecosystem
Modi used the occasion to highlight the government's long-term vision for Indian sports, describing athletics as a vehicle for 'personality development and nation-building.' He pointed to the expansion of Khelo India centres across the country and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) as pillars of a modern sports infrastructure being built at both school and grassroots levels.
Notably, the Prime Minister also referenced his Red Fort address earlier this year, in which he called upon the youth to participate in a nationwide talent hunt campaign with the Olympics in mind — signalling that para-sports is now being integrated into the same national ambition.
Context and Significance
The meeting comes on the back of what officials described as a 'stellar show' by Indian para-athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games 2026. The fact that athletes such as Avani and Manish have already secured LA 2028 quota spots reflects the growing competitive depth in Indian para-sports — a marked contrast from just a decade ago when India's para-Games presence was far more limited. With LA 2028 now less than two years away, the government's message is clear: the momentum cannot be allowed to dissipate.
Point of View
The government is treating para-sport as a continuous programme rather than a series of isolated events — a meaningful shift. The integration of para-athletes into the same talent-hunt and TOPS infrastructure as able-bodied Olympic hopefuls is a structural step forward, though outcomes will depend on whether the grassroots pipeline actually delivers competitive depth beyond a handful of marquee names. India's Paralympic medal haul has grown, but the roster of genuine medal contenders remains narrow. Closing that gap — not just celebrating existing stars — is the real test of the ecosystem being built.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say to India's Asian Para Games participants?
PM Modi urged India's 2026 Asian Para Games contingent to focus on the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, calling the Aichi-Nagoya podium a 'launching pad' rather than a final destination. He asked all athletes to begin preparing for LA 2028 immediately after celebrating their current success.
Which Indian para-athletes have already qualified for LA 2028?
According to PM Modi's address, athletes Avani and Manish have already secured their quota spots for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. They were cited as examples for the rest of the contingent to emulate.
Where did PM Modi meet the Asian Para Games contingent?
PM Modi met the Indian contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on 5 November 2026. The interaction included a speech and a direct address to the para-athletes.
What government schemes did PM Modi highlight for sports development?
Modi highlighted the Khelo India centres — established across the country at school and grassroots levels — and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provides Olympic-level training to elite athletes. He also referenced a nationwide youth talent hunt campaign he announced from the Red Fort earlier this year.
Why is the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles significant for India?
LA 2028 represents the next major target for Indian para-athletes following their strong showing at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games. With the government investing in a modern sports ecosystem and existing quota spots already secured, India is aiming to significantly increase both its participation numbers and its medal count at the Games.
