Jal Shakti Minister Paatil hails India's Kabaddi Asian Games gold
Synopsis
Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil praised the Indian men's Kabaddi team for winning gold at the Asian Games, defeating Iran in a thrilling final, calling the achievement an inspiration for India's youth and a new peak for Indian sport.
Key Takeaways
The Indian men's Kabaddi team won gold at the Asian Games , defeating Iran in the final.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.
Paatil posted his congratulations on 26 September 2026 .
Paatil lauded the team's 'remarkable patience, firm resolve, and outstanding team spirit' in the final.
India has a dominant record in men's Kabaddi at the Asian Games, including golds at the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta editions.
Paatil said the achievement would inspire Indian youth and elevate the pride of Indian sport.
India's most dominant sport on the continental stage delivered once again — the Indian men's Kabaddi team claimed gold at the Asian Games, defeating Iran in a thrilling final that tested every ounce of grit and teamwork the squad had to offer. Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil took to X on Saturday, 26 September 2026 to lead the nation's congratulations.
In his post, Minister Paatil wrote: 'Bharat ko apne khiladiyon par garv hai' — 'India is proud of its players.' He praised the team for demonstrating 'remarkable patience, firm resolve, and outstanding team spirit' against Iran in what he described as an 'exciting final,' extending heartfelt congratulations to all players, coaches, and support staff.A sport India has made its own at the Asian Games
Kabaddi is not merely a game for India — it is a statement. The men's team has lorded over the continental competition for decades, winning gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, among others. Iran has been the perennial challenger in the final, making their rivalry one of Asian sport's most anticipated contests. Each successive gold reinforces what the sport's faithful already know: on the biggest stage, India does not yield.Paatil's congratulations and what they signal
Senior BJP leader and former Gujarat BJP state president Paatil is one of the party's most prominent voices on national affairs. His post reflects a wider pattern among Union ministers of personally amplifying India's sporting triumphs on social media — part of a deliberate push to give traditional, indigenous sports the kind of visibility once reserved for cricket alone. Kabaddi's roots in the Indian subcontinent make these victories carry cultural weight beyond the medal tally. The message also pointed outward — toward the next generation. 'This achievement will inspire the youth of the country,' Paatil wrote, 'and carry the pride of Indian sport to new heights.' In a sporting landscape where younger Indians are increasingly drawn to multiple disciplines, gold in an indigenous game sends a pointed signal about where national identity and elite performance can meet.Point of View
Repeated across multiple finals, gives the achievement a dramatic, almost ritualistic quality that amplifies its cultural resonance. Sustaining this dominance while building domestic leagues will be the real test of India's Kabaddi ambition.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has India won men's Kabaddi gold at the Asian Games before?
Yes. India has a dominant record in men's Kabaddi at the Asian Games, including gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta .
Who did India beat in the Kabaddi final at the Asian Games?
India defeated Iran in the final of the men's Kabaddi competition at the Asian Games, a rivalry that has produced some of the most competitive finals in the sport's continental history.
Who is C. R. Paatil?
C. R. Paatil is India's Union Minister of Jal Shakti , a senior BJP leader, and former president of the BJP's Gujarat state unit.
Why is Kabaddi important to India at the Asian Games?
Kabaddi is an indigenous sport with deep roots on the Indian subcontinent. India's consistent gold-medal performances at the Asian Games make it one of the nation's most reliable and symbolically significant events in multi-sport competitions.
What did Minister Paatil say about the Indian Kabaddi team?
Paatil praised the team for showing 'remarkable patience, firm resolve, and outstanding team spirit' in the final against Iran, and said their achievement would inspire the youth of India.
