CM Bhupendra Patel Hails Women's Trap Team Silver at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel congratulated shooters Manisha Keer, Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat on claiming silver in the Women's Trap Team event at the Asian Games 2026, praising their precision, determination and teamwork in representing India.
Key Takeaways
Manisha Keer , Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat won silver in the Women's Trap Team event at the Asian Games 2026 .
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel publicly congratulated the trio on 29 September 2026 via X.
Trap shooting demands hitting clay targets launched at varying angles — a team medal reflects collective composure under pressure.
Manisha Keer is an experienced international-level trap shooter who has previously represented India at Asian Games.
India's Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017 , has helped deepen the national shooting pipeline across disciplines.
The Asian Games 2026 are hosted by Japan and serve as a key qualifier cycle ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .
Three Indian women stepped onto the Asian Games podium with silver medals in the Women's Trap Team event — and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was among the first to mark the moment publicly, saluting the shooters' precision and grit on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
Silver on the trap range: who brought it home
Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat combined to claim the silver in the Women's Trap Team discipline at the Asian Games 2026. Trap shooting demands extraordinary consistency — competitors fire at clay targets launched at varying angles and speeds, leaving almost no margin for error across multiple rounds. A team medal in the event reflects not just individual marksmanship but the kind of synchronised composure that only comes from shared preparation.
CM Patel wrote: 'A splendid performance on the Asian stage!' — calling out 'precision, determination and teamwork' as the trio's defining qualities and wishing them 'many more successes ahead' under the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat.
Manisha Keer and India's rising trap-shooting profile
Manisha Keer has been one of the more recognisable names in Indian trap shooting, having represented the country across international competitions in prior Asian Games cycles. Her presence in the squad signals continuity — experienced hands anchoring a team that also features newer names pushing for their own place in the national record books.
India's investment in shooting has grown steadily since the Khelo India scheme was launched in 2017, channelling government funding into grassroots identification and elite-level support across disciplines. Shooting has been one of the clearest beneficiaries, with the national pipeline now deep enough to field competitive squads in technical events like trap rather than relying on a single star.
Asian Games 2026 and the road to Los Angeles
The 2026 Asian Games, hosted by Japan, serve a dual purpose for Indian athletics: they are a continental measuring stick and a dress rehearsal for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Every medal on the Asian stage — especially in Olympic-programme events like trap shooting — feeds directly into selection debates and confidence cycles heading into the Games.
For Indian women's shooting in particular, a team silver keeps the momentum alive after years of building depth. The question now is whether this trio can convert continental silver into a World Cup podium finish and, ultimately, an Olympic berth.
Point of View
And political visibility around those wins helps sustain public and budgetary support for the Khelo India pipeline. With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, every continental podium finish becomes a data point in the argument for continued investment in Olympic-programme shooting disciplines.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won silver in Women's Trap Team at Asian Games 2026?
Manisha Keer, Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat won the silver medal in the Women's Trap Team event at the Asian Games 2026.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are hosted by Japan.
Who is Manisha Keer?
Manisha Keer is an Indian trap shooter who has represented the country at multiple international competitions, including prior Asian Games editions.
What is the Khelo India scheme?
Khelo India is a government scheme launched in 2017 to support grassroots and elite athletes across disciplines including shooting, helping build a deeper national talent pipeline.
Why did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel congratulate the shooters?
CM Bhupendra Patel congratulated Manisha Keer, Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat on their silver medal in the Women's Trap Team event at the Asian Games 2026, praising their precision, determination and teamwork.
