CM Rekha Gupta Hails Bhagat-Ramadass Bronze at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on October 22, 2026 congratulated para-badminton pair Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass after they won bronze in the Badminton Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it 'great teamwork' and a source of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass won a Bronze Medal in Badminton Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta posted her congratulations on October 22, 2026 via X, citing 'great teamwork.' Pramod Bhagat is a multiple-medal winner at Paralympic and international para-badminton events in the SL3 category.
The Asian Para Games is held every four years under the Asian Paralympic Committee and serves as a key pre-Paralympic competitive platform.
India's para-sport recognition by political leaders has grown steadily since the country's breakthrough at the 2016 Rio Paralympics .
A bronze medal in para badminton mixed doubles, and Delhi's Chief Minister was among the first to mark it. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated para-badminton stars Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after the duo clinched a Bronze Medal in the Badminton Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Bhagat and Ramadass bring home mixed-doubles bronze
Pramod Bhagat is one of India's most decorated para-badminton athletes, with a history of podium finishes at the Paralympics and major international para-sport events in the SL3 (standing lower limb impairment) category. His partnership with Manisha Ramadass, who competes across SL3-SU5 mixed-doubles formats, delivered a result that adds to India's growing haul at the continental games.
CM Gupta wrote: 'Heartiest congratulations to Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass on clinching the Bronze Medal in the Badminton Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 at the Asian Para Games 2026. Great teamwork, The nation is proud of you both.' The post carried the hashtags #AsianParaGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat, a rallying tag that political leaders across the spectrum have used to signal national support during multi-sport competitions.
India's para-sport rise and the politics of recognition
India's emphasis on para-sports has grown measurably since the country's landmark medal surge at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and recognition from state leaders has become a consistent part of that ecosystem. Congratulatory posts from chief ministers and cabinet ministers amplify athlete visibility, often preceding formal state-level felicitations and influencing public conversations around para-sport funding and infrastructure.
The Asian Para Games, organised every four years by the Asian Paralympic Committee, serves as the continent's premier multi-sport platform for para athletes — a proving ground that feeds directly into global Paralympic cycles. A bronze here carries both competitive and symbolic weight for India's para-badminton programme.
Point of View
Whose SL3 category has been India's strongest badminton division internationally, a bronze at the Asian Para Games reinforces the argument for sustained investment in the programme ahead of the next Paralympic cycle.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass?
Pramod Bhagat is one of India's most accomplished para-badminton players, known for multiple medals at Paralympic and international events in the SL3 (standing lower limb impairment) category. Manisha Ramadass is an Indian para badminton player who competes in SL3-SU5 mixed doubles events.
What medal did India win in para badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass won a Bronze Medal in the Badminton Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event for para athletes across Asia, organised every four years by the Asian Paralympic Committee. It is a major competitive milestone and an important qualifier-cycle marker before the global Paralympics.
Why did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta congratulate the athletes?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass after they won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it 'great teamwork' and saying 'the nation is proud of you both.'
What does SL3-SU5 mean in para badminton?
In para badminton, SL3 refers to standing players with lower limb impairment affecting one leg, while SU5 refers to standing players with upper limb impairment. A Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 match pairs one player from each category — a man and a woman — competing together.
