CM Bhupendra Patel Hails Tejalben Damor's Para Games Bronze
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel praised Dahod's Tejalben Damor for winning bronze in the Women's 200m T12 at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a time of 25.23 seconds, calling it a proud moment for Gujarat and India.
Key Takeaways
Tejalben Damor from Dahod, Gujarat won a Bronze medal in the Women's 200m T12 at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Her winning time was 25.23 seconds in the T12 category, for visually impaired athletes.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel publicly congratulated her on 20 October 2026 via X.
Dahod is a predominantly tribal district in eastern Gujarat with an emerging track record in sports.
India has progressively improved its para-sports performance since the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou .
CM Patel's endorsement highlights a broader state-level pattern of recognising para-athletes as part of inclusive youth development.
A young woman from the tribal heartland of eastern Gujarat has just put India on the Asian Para Games podium. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 congratulated Tejalben Damor of Dahod on winning the Bronze medal in the Women's 200m T12 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, clocking an impressive time of 25.23 seconds.
Tejalben's 25.23s that lit up the track
Competing in the T12 classification — reserved for athletes with visual impairment — Tejalben Damor crossed the finish line in 25.23 seconds, a performance CM Patel described as 'a testament to her unwavering dedication and rigorous training.' The result is a moment of particular pride for Dahod, a district in eastern Gujarat known for its large tribal population and quietly growing pool of sporting talent.
Dahod on India's para-sports map
Dahod has rarely commanded national headlines for athletics, making Tejalben's podium finish all the more striking. The district sits at the confluence of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh — geographically remote, economically modest — yet it has steadily contributed youth to state and national competitions. Her bronze adds a new chapter to that quiet story.
India's expanding para-sports footprint
The Asian Para Games, held every four years for athletes with disabilities, has become a reliable showcase of India's growing depth in adaptive sport. India's performance at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou signalled the impact of expanded national training infrastructure and athlete incentive schemes. The 2026 edition appears to be extending that momentum, with state governments playing an increasingly visible role in amplifying — and rewarding — individual breakthroughs.
Chief ministers routinely use social media to spotlight state-level sporting wins, but the gesture carries policy weight: public recognition nudges sports bodies toward identifying and funding the next Tejalben before she has to fight alone.
Gujarat's investment in sporting recognition
Under CM Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has framed youth sports participation as part of broader development goals. Singling out a para-athlete from one of the state's more underserved districts sends a clear signal about who the spotlight is meant to reach. Whether the congratulations translate into a state award or structured support for Tejalben's next competitive cycle is the question Gujarat's sports bodies will now face.
For now, the stopwatch says 25.23 — and that number belongs to Dahod.
Point of View
Economically marginalised district like Dahod. The post also aligns with the central government's sustained push to mainstream para-sports in India's national sporting identity. The real policy test, however, comes next: whether Gujarat follows recognition with structured financial support, coaching infrastructure, or state honours for Tejalben. Sporadic social-media praise without institutional follow-through is a gap critics of India's para-sports ecosystem have long flagged.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tejalben Damor and where is she from?
Tejalben Damor is a para-athlete from Dahod district in eastern Gujarat, India. She competed in the Women's 200m T12 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 and won a Bronze medal with a time of 25.23 seconds.
What is the T12 classification in para-athletics?
The T12 classification in para-athletics is for athletes with visual impairment who have some residual vision. Competitors in this category typically run with or without a guide depending on the governing body's rules.
What did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel say about Tejalben Damor?
CM Bhupendra Patel called it 'a proud moment for Gujarat and India' and described Tejalben's performance as 'a testament to her unwavering dedication and rigorous training,' wishing her the best for future sporting events.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The specific host city of the Asian Para Games 2026 was not confirmed in the available information. The event is a quadrennial multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities across Asia.
How has India performed historically at the Asian Para Games?
India has steadily improved its performance at the Asian Para Games. At the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, India recorded a notable medal tally, reflecting expanded national investment in para-athlete training and infrastructure.
