CM Nayab Saini Hails India's Para Athletes at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated five Indian para athletes — Krishna Nagar, Sivarajan Solaimalai, Alphia James, Pallavi Kaluvehalli, Preeti Pal, and Ravi Rongali — for winning medals across badminton, athletics, and shot put at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Key Takeaways
Krishna Nagar and Sivarajan Solaimalai won silver in men's doubles SH6 badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli claimed bronze in women's doubles WH1-WH2 badminton.
Preeti Pal secured silver in the women's 100 metres T35 athletics event.
Ravi Rongali won bronze in men's shot put F40 .
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini individually named each medallist in his public tribute on 21 October 2026 .
Krishna Nagar is a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medallist in men's singles SH6 badminton.
Five Indian para athletes brought home medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was among the first to salute their achievement — posting a warm tribute on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
Saini's post, written in Hindi, opened with the line 'Tirange ki shaan, khiladiyon ke naam!' — 'Glory to the Tricolour, in the name of our players!' — before naming each medallist personally. It is the kind of shout-out that means something: a chief minister of a state with one of India's deepest sporting pipelines, putting individual para athletes on record.
The medals that flew the Tricolour
The haul Saini celebrated spans four events and five athletes. Krishna Nagar and Sivarajan Solaimalai claimed silver in men's doubles SH6 badminton. Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli won bronze in women's doubles WH1-WH2 badminton. Sprinter Preeti Pal took silver in the women's 100 metres T35. And shot putter Ravi Rongali earned bronze in the men's shot put F40.
Krishna Nagar is no stranger to the top step — he is the reigning Paralympic gold medallist in men's singles SH6 from Tokyo 2020, a benchmark performance that established him as one of India's premier para-badminton names. Stepping into the doubles arena and returning with silver is a fresh dimension to an already decorated career.
Haryana's stake in para sports
The congratulation is more than ceremonial for a state like Haryana. The state punches well above its weight in Indian sport — from wrestling mats to athletics tracks — and its government has consistently invested in athlete development infrastructure. Saini singling out these five athletes by name, rather than offering a generic 'Team India' platitude, reflects the personalised attention Haryana's political leadership has made a habit of showing to individual performers.
India's para sports ecosystem has grown substantially over the past decade, with the Asian Para Games — held every four years under the Asian Paralympic Committee — serving as a key proving ground between Paralympic cycles. The 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou saw India record multiple medals, and the 2026 edition is adding fresh names to that growing ledger.
What these medals signal for India's para sports trajectory
Every podium finish at a continental Para Games builds ranking points, funding cases, and — crucially — visibility for athletes who rarely get primetime coverage. When a chief minister names Alphia James, Ravi Rongali, and Pallavi Kaluvehalli in a public post, those are names that reach audiences well beyond the para-sports community. That visibility is part of the ecosystem too.
India's para athletes have set the bar high. Now the watch shifts to the next Paralympic cycle — and whether the infrastructure momentum behind them can keep pace with their ambition.
Point of View
Helping athletes build ranking points and funding cases ahead of the next Paralympic cycle. Saini's post, timed on the day of the results, signals that para sports recognition is now a political reflex — not an afterthought.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Indian medallists at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's medallists include Krishna Nagar and Sivarajan Solaimalai (silver, men's doubles SH6 badminton), Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli (bronze, women's doubles WH1-WH2 badminton), Preeti Pal (silver, women's 100 metres T35), and Ravi Rongali (bronze, men's shot put F40).
What did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini say about the Asian Para Games 2026?
CM Saini posted a Hindi tribute saying the glory of the Tricolour belongs to the players, and individually congratulated each medallist for enhancing India's national pride through their outstanding performances.
Who is Krishna Nagar in para badminton?
Krishna Nagar is an Indian para-badminton player who won the gold medal in men's singles SH6 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, making him one of India's most decorated para-badminton athletes.
How often are the Asian Para Games held?
The Asian Para Games are held every four years under the Asian Paralympic Committee, serving as a key continental competition for para athletes between Paralympic cycles.
What is the SH6 category in para badminton?
SH6 in para badminton is a standing category for players with short stature, where athletes compete with standard badminton rules adapted for their specific classification.
