CM Dhami Congratulates Dhaliwal, Naruka on Asian Games Skeet Bronze
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated shooters Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka on winning the skeet mixed-team bronze at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, praising their marksmanship and sportsmanship.
Key Takeaways
Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka won the bronze medal in the skeet mixed-team event at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted congratulations on September 24, 2026 , lauding their marksmanship, focus, and sportsmanship.
Dhami said the duo had 'raised the honour of the country' and that 'the nation is proud of this achievement.' India's shooting programme has been backed by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2014 , helping build a competitive pool of athletes.
The skeet mixed-team bronze continues India's pattern of strong shooting performances at the Asian Games level.
A bronze medal in the skeet mixed-team event at the Asian Games 2026 — and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was among the first political voices to salute the achievement, posting his congratulations to shooters Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
In his post, Dhami wrote: 'एशियन गेम्स 2026 की स्कीट मिक्स्ड टीम स्पर्धा में शानदार प्रदर्शन करते हुए कांस्य पदक जीतने पर परिनाज धालीवाल और अनंतजीत सिंह नरूका को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं।' — 'Heartfelt congratulations to Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka for winning the bronze medal with a brilliant performance in the skeet mixed-team event at Asian Games 2026.' He added that the duo had 'raised the honour of the country through their excellent marksmanship, concentration and sportsmanship,' and expressed the nation's pride in their achievement.
Dhaliwal and Naruka: India's skeet pair steps onto the podium
Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka have both built their reputations on the international shooting circuit, with Naruka in particular earning recognition at previous continental and global events. The skeet mixed-team format demands fluid coordination between partners — each covering their firing station with split-second precision — making a podium finish at a Games of this scale a genuinely collective feat. Their bronze at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the host city for the 2026 Asian Games, adds another chapter to India's steady accumulation of shooting medals at the continental level.Shooting's place in India's Asian Games story
Shooting has long been one of the disciplines where India punches above its weight at the Asian Games. The sport received structured state backing through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, which channels funding and support to elite athletes with realistic medal prospects at major multi-sport events. That institutional investment has helped build a pipeline of competitive shooters across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines. A skeet mixed-team bronze fits squarely within that pattern — and with Olympic qualification cycles running parallel to continental campaigns, every podium finish carries weight beyond the medal itself.Why a CM's congratulatory post matters here
Indian political leaders routinely use social media to associate with national sporting success, and Dhami's post follows that tradition. But the gesture also signals state-level attention to athletes who can sometimes feel that their achievements are overshadowed by cricket. A Chief Minister's public acknowledgement — amplified through the #AsianGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat hashtags — keeps the spotlight on shooting at a moment when the contingent is still competing in Japan.Point of View
But it arrives at a moment when India's shooting programme is delivering consistent continental results — a direct dividend of the TOPS infrastructure built over more than a decade. The skeet mixed-team format is also an Olympic discipline, meaning this bronze has potential resonance for future qualification cycles, giving the moment more policy heft than a routine felicitation. For the BJP, associating with sporting success at Asian Games level reinforces a broader 'Viksit Bharat' narrative around elite athletic development. The real test, as always, will be whether this podium momentum converts into sustained investment and selection opportunities for both athletes.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka?
Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka are Indian skeet shooters who have represented India in international competitions. Naruka has been particularly prominent on the international circuit and both athletes competed in the skeet mixed-team event at the Asian Games 2026.
What medal did India win in skeet mixed team at Asian Games 2026?
India won the bronze medal in the skeet mixed-team event at the Asian Games 2026 , held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan , through the pairing of Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan , continuing the quadrennial multi-sport series after the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China.
What is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)?
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is an Indian government programme launched in 2014 that provides financial support and resources to elite athletes with realistic medal prospects at major multi-sport events, including Olympic and Asian Games disciplines like shooting.
Why did CM Dhami congratulate the shooters?
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated Parinaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka on their bronze medal in the skeet mixed-team event at the Asian Games 2026 , praising their marksmanship, concentration, and sportsmanship in representing India.
