Gujarat govt awards ₹9.27 crore to 18 Asian Games and Para Asian Games athletes
Synopsis
Gujarat has put ₹9.27 crore behind 18 athletes who carried the tricolour at the Asian Games and Para Asian Games — with para-athletes claiming the lion's share. The top payout of ₹2 crore went to gold medallist Anjanaben Bumbadiya, signalling a state-level shift toward rewarding para-sport on par with mainstream disciplines.
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat government announced cash awards worth more than ₹9.27 crore for 18 athletes at a ceremony in Gandhinagar on 2 November 2026 .
Para-athlete Anjanaben Rohitbhai Bumbadiya received the highest payout of ₹2 crore for a Para Asian Games gold medal.
Cricketers Jasprit Bumrah , Axar Patel , and Radha Yadav each received ₹66 lakh .
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the awards and reaffirmed the state's commitment to athlete training and facilities.
Athletes unable to attend will receive their incentives via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The Gujarat government on Monday, 2 November 2026, announced cash awards totalling more than ₹9.27 crore for 18 athletes who represented India at the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, with para-athletes emerging as the biggest beneficiaries. The awards were presented at a felicitation ceremony held in Gandhinagar.
Key Awards and Recipients
Para-athlete Anjanaben Rohitbhai Bumbadiya received the highest individual payout of ₹2 crore for winning a gold medal at the Para Asian Games. Tejalben Damor was awarded a combined ₹1.5 crore for winning both silver and bronze medals, while Nimisha C.S. received ₹1 crore for her silver medal in long jump.
Rakeshbhai Bhatt took home ₹1 crore for two bronze medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre races. In para table tennis, Bhavinaben Patel received ₹75 lakh for two bronze medals, Sonalben Patel was awarded ₹50 lakh for a bronze, and Manush Shah received ₹25 lakh for his bronze in table tennis.
Cricketers Also Felicitated
Indian men's cricket team players Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel were each awarded ₹66 lakh, as was women's team cricketer Radha Yadav. Their inclusion underscores the Gujarat government's broad recognition of athletes across disciplines who have represented India on the international stage.
Participation Incentives for Other Athletes
The government also extended financial assistance to athletes recognised for participation. Manav Thakkar, Aryan Nehra, Mitwa Chaudhary, and Bhavikkumar Bharwad each received ₹5 lakh. Harmeet Desai, Ankita Raina, and Aniket Patel were each awarded ₹2.5 lakh, while Vishnu Vaghela received ₹1.65 lakh.
What the Government Said
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who presented the awards, said: 'Gujarat's young athletes have made the country proud through their determination and hard work on the international stage. Their achievements will inspire future generations and strengthen India's commitment to sports. The state government is committed to providing athletes with the best training, facilities and support.'
The government also confirmed that incentive amounts for athletes unable to attend due to sporting commitments would be transferred directly via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Athletes, coaches, and representatives present at the ceremony thanked the state government for its continued support towards promoting sports.
Point of View
Not a mainstream medallist. That is symbolically significant, though critics may note the participation-tier payouts (₹1.65 lakh to ₹5 lakh) remain modest relative to the cost of elite training. The inclusion of cricketers Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Radha Yadav, while politically popular, raises a structural question: should athletes from a sport with its own rich commercial ecosystem draw from state sports funds meant to uplift less-resourced disciplines?
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Gujarat award its Asian Games and Para Asian Games athletes?
The Gujarat government announced cash awards totalling more than ₹9.27 crore for 18 athletes at a ceremony in Gandhinagar on 2 November 2026. The awards covered both medal winners and participating athletes across multiple sports.
Who received the highest cash award from the Gujarat government?
Para-athlete Anjanaben Rohitbhai Bumbadiya received the highest individual award of ₹2 crore for winning a gold medal at the Para Asian Games. She was among the biggest beneficiaries of the state's felicitation programme.
Did cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel receive awards from Gujarat?
Yes. Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel each received ₹66 lakh from the Gujarat government, as did women's cricketer Radha Yadav, in recognition of their representation of India at international level.
How will athletes who missed the ceremony receive their awards?
The Gujarat government confirmed that incentive amounts for athletes unable to attend due to sporting commitments or other reasons will be transferred directly to their bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Which para table tennis players were recognised at the Gandhinagar ceremony?
Bhavinaben Patel received ₹75 lakh for winning two bronze medals in para table tennis, while Sonalben Patel was awarded ₹50 lakh for a bronze. Table tennis player Manush Shah received ₹25 lakh for his bronze medal.
