CM Saini Salutes Ravanni Valasanaini's Bronze at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini praised Ravanni Valasanaini for clinching a bronze medal in the women's 1500m T11 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it a moment of national pride and saluting the athlete's determination.
Key Takeaways
Ravanni Valasanaini won the bronze medal in the women's 1500 metres T11 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated the athlete on 19 October 2026 via X.
The T11 category covers athletes with complete or near-complete visual impairment, requiring competition alongside a sighted guide.
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for para athletes organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee.
Haryana has a strong track record of recognising international para and mainstream sporting achievers through state honours and awards.
A bronze medal in the women's 1500 metres T11 category — and a country's pride lifted a little higher. Ravanni Valasanaini delivered a performance of grit and resolve at the Asian Para Games 2026, earning India a podium finish on Monday, 19 October 2026, prompting Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to take to X with a warm salute to the athlete.
Posting in Hindi, CM Saini wrote: 'एशियन पैरा गेम्स 2026 में Ravanni Valasanaini ने महिला 1500 मीटर T11 स्पर्धा में कांस्य पदक जीतकर देश का मान बढ़ाया है' — 'Ravanni Valasanaini has brought honour to the nation by winning a bronze medal in the women's 1500 metres T11 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.' He added: 'Salute to your hard work, courage, and firm determination. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a bright future!'
What the T11 Category Demands
The T11 classification is among the most demanding in para athletics — it covers athletes with complete or near-complete visual impairment who compete with a sighted guide. Running 1500 metres in that condition demands not just physical endurance but an almost telepathic coordination between athlete and guide. A bronze medal at a continental multi-sport event in that category is a marker of elite-level preparation.
Haryana's Para-Sport Recognition Track Record
Haryana has built a visible identity as a nurturing ground for competitive sport, with state schemes routinely recognising international medal winners through cash awards and government honours. The Asian Para Games, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee every four years, sit alongside the Paralympics as the premier regional platform for para athletes across the continent — making a podium here significant both symbolically and in terms of qualification momentum. Chief Ministers across Indian states have made a practice of publicly celebrating such achievements on social media, and Saini's post follows that pattern while keeping the spotlight firmly on the athlete.
Point of View
India's growing presence on the Asian Para Games podium reflects a broader investment in para-sport infrastructure since the Tokyo Paralympic cycle. Continued state-level recognition, including potential cash awards, will be the real test of how deep that commitment runs.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ravanni Valasanaini?
Ravanni Valasanaini is an Indian para athlete who won a bronze medal in the women's 1500 metres T11 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the T11 classification in para athletics?
T11 is a para athletics classification for athletes with complete or near-complete visual impairment; competitors run with a sighted guide.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee across the continent.
Why did Nayab Singh Saini congratulate Ravanni Valasanaini?
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini congratulated Ravanni Valasanaini for winning a bronze medal in the women's 1500m T11 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it a matter of national pride.
Does Haryana give cash awards to para athletes winning international medals?
Haryana has a track record of announcing cash awards and state honours for international medal winners; any specific announcement for Asian Para Games 2026 medallists is yet to be confirmed.
