CM Saini hails Baby Sahana Ravi's Para Games TT bronze
Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini praised para-athlete Baby Sahana Ravi on October 20, 2026, after she claimed bronze in women's singles Class 9 table tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling her determination and skill commendable.
Key Takeaways
Baby Sahana Ravi won a bronze medal in women's singles Class 9 table tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini posted a congratulatory message on X on October 20, 2026 .
Class 9 para table tennis is contested by athletes with limb impairments who compete standing.
The Asian Para Games is a continental multi-sport event for para athletes held every four years.
India's overall medal tally at the 2026 Games is still building as events continue.
A bronze medal in women's singles Class 9 table tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026 — and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was among the first to applaud the feat, posting a warm congratulatory message on X on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Saini hailed para-athlete Baby Sahana Ravi for her performance, writing — 'शानदार खेल का प्रदर्शन' ('a splendid display of sporting skill') — and added: 'Your determination and sporting ability are commendable. Best wishes for a bright future.' The message, tagged #AsianParaGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat, reflected the national pride rippling through India's para-sports community.
Baby Sahana Ravi's bronze in women's singles Class 9
Class 9 in para table tennis is designated for athletes with limb impairments who compete standing, demanding a high level of technical precision and physical endurance. Winning a medal at the Asian Para Games — the continent's premier multi-sport competition for para athletes, held every four years — places Sahana Ravi among a select group of Indian paddlers who have performed on Asia's biggest adaptive-sport stage.
India's para-sports moment on the continental stage
The Asian Para Games have grown into a critical proving ground for Indian para athletes, with India's overall medal tally at each edition closely watched as a barometer of the country's adaptive-sports ecosystem. Table tennis has consistently been one of India's stronger disciplines in para competition, and a podium finish in an individual event adds to that legacy. With events still ongoing at the 2026 edition, each medal shapes the final tally and the story India takes home.
Political recognition of para athletes — from the Prime Minister's office down to state chief ministers — has become a visible pattern in India's sports culture, signalling that achievements beyond the mainstream are no longer an afterthought. Saini's post is part of that broader acknowledgement, ensuring Sahana Ravi's moment reaches audiences well beyond the sports pages.
Point of View
A practice that has intensified since India's stronger showings at recent multi-sport events. For a state like Haryana — a traditional powerhouse in Olympic and combat sports — extending that spotlight to para athletes signals a broadening of the state's sporting identity. The gesture also carries soft political value, positioning the BJP-led state government as an inclusive champion of all athletes, not just those in marquee disciplines. Whether such visibility translates into structural support — coaching, infrastructure, stipends — for para athletes remains the more consequential question.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baby Sahana Ravi?
Baby Sahana Ravi is an Indian para table tennis player who won a bronze medal in women's singles Class 9 at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is Class 9 in para table tennis?
Class 9 in para table tennis is a category for athletes with limb impairments who play standing, requiring strong technical skill and physical control.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are a continental multi-sport event for para athletes from across Asia, held every four years, serving as the adaptive-sports equivalent of the Asian Games.
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulate Baby Sahana Ravi?
CM Saini posted on X on October 20, 2026 to congratulate Sahana Ravi on her bronze medal, praising her determination and sporting ability at the Asian Para Games 2026.
How is India performing at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2026 is still being compiled as events continue, with Sahana Ravi's bronze in table tennis adding to the country's count.
