Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 congratulated two Indian para athletes — Sharmila Dhankhar of Rewari, Haryana, and Shilpa Shayla — for winning gold and bronze respectively in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Saini hailed both women as symbols of female empowerment and resilience, saying their achievements had brought glory to the nation.

Context

Posting on X in Hindi, CM Saini wrote: 'म्हारे हरियाणा की हर बेटी जीतने के लक्ष्य के साथ खेलती है' ('Every daughter of our Haryana plays with the goal of winning'). He specifically lauded Sharmila Dhankhar, describing her as a 'para athlete' from Rewari who 'turned her disability into a blessing' and 'scripted history' by claiming the gold medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 category. He also congratulated Shilpa Shayla, another para athlete, for winning the bronze medal in the same event.

Saini extended 'heartfelt congratulations' to both athletes and expressed the wish that they continue to set an example of women's empowerment. The post included a video, likely featuring the athletes or their performance highlights.

Policy Backdrop

India's support for para sports has grown substantially since the passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates institutional backing for the sports participation of persons with disabilities. Central and state governments have since channelled funding toward para athlete identification, training infrastructure, and international exposure.

Haryana has historically been among India's most prolific contributors to national sporting contingents, producing athletes across wrestling, boxing, and athletics. The state has increasingly spotlighted para sports as part of its broader women's empowerment and inclusion agenda, with CM Saini's post reflecting that continued political emphasis.

Stakeholders and Impact

The F57 classification in para athletics is designated for athletes with impairments affecting leg function, who compete in field events from a seated or standing position. A gold medal in this category at the Commonwealth Games — a quadrennial multi-sport event for Commonwealth nations — carries significant international prestige and can unlock further government support and recognition for the athlete.

For Rewari and for Haryana more broadly, Sharmila Dhankhar's gold represents both a personal milestone and a regional point of pride. Shilpa Shayla's bronze adds to India's para athletics medal tally, underlining the depth of the country's para sports pipeline. Both achievements are likely to inspire grassroots participation among young women with disabilities across the country.

What's Next

With the Commonwealth Games 2026 ongoing, further medal opportunities remain for India's para and able-bodied contingents. State governments, including Haryana, are expected to announce felicitation ceremonies and cash awards for medal-winning athletes in keeping with established sports policy. CM Saini's public recognition also signals that para sports will remain a visible plank of Haryana's governance narrative in the months ahead, potentially attracting greater state investment in training facilities and athlete welfare programmes.