Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Hails Sharath's Silver at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has congratulated para athlete Sharath for winning silver in the Men's 1500m T12/13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, praising his determination and sporting excellence on behalf of the state.
Key Takeaways
Para athlete Sharath won the Silver Medal in the Men's 1500m T12/13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued the congratulatory message through the official CMO Odisha account on 22 October 2026 .
The T12/13 classification is for visually impaired athletes — among the most competitive categories in para athletics.
Odisha has been one of India's leading states in supporting both mainstream and para sports at the international level.
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial continental multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, carrying significant national prestige for medallists.
A silver medal from the Asian Para Games 2026 — and an entire state is cheering. Para athlete Sharath clocked a standout run in the Men's 1500m T12/13 event, earning a podium finish and a congratulatory message from the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi personally acknowledged the feat, calling Sharath's performance 'outstanding' and praising his 'determination, perseverance and sporting excellence.' The message, issued through the official CMO handle, expressed hope that Sharath would 'continue to achieve greater success and bring more glory to the nation.'
Sharath's Silver in the T12/13 Middle-Distance Race
The T12/13 classification covers visually impaired athletes — T12 for those with some residual vision, T13 for athletes with a slightly higher level of vision. Competing across the 1500m distance, a gruelling middle-distance event demanding both raw speed and tactical discipline, Sharath earned second place on the continental stage — a result that places him among Asia's elite para distance runners.
The Asian Para Games is held every four years and serves as the continent's premier multi-sport competition for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments. For Indian para athletes, a podium finish here carries significant national prestige and can open pathways to future global competitions.
Odisha's Growing Investment in Para Sport
Odisha has established itself as one of India's most proactive states in sports patronage, extending support beyond mainstream athletics to para sport as well. The state has fielded para athletes in multiple Asian Para Games and Paralympic cycles in recent years. Public congratulations from the Chief Minister's Office follow a broader pattern of state governments using high-profile social media moments to spotlight athletes — building a sports culture that can inspire the next generation of competitors, including those with disabilities.
For Sharath, the silver is not just a personal milestone. It is a signal — that visually impaired Indian athletes can compete at the highest continental level and win. That story is worth telling well beyond the medal podium.
Point of View
High-visibility acknowledgement of para athletes — through the Chief Minister's own social media voice — reflects a deliberate state strategy to normalise para sport within mainstream sporting culture. For a state that has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, extending that spotlight to visually impaired athletes signals an inclusive vision that goes beyond optics. Nationally, India's para athletics ecosystem has grown rapidly, and state-level recognition like this feeds into a pipeline that could shape Paralympic performance in the years ahead. Sharath's silver is also a reminder that policy support and public visibility together move the needle for athlete development.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sharath the para athlete from Odisha?
Sharath is an Odisha para athlete competing in the visually impaired T12/13 classification who won a silver medal in the Men's 1500m event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the T12/13 classification in para athletics?
T12/13 is a para athletics classification for visually impaired athletes — T12 denotes athletes with some residual vision, while T13 covers those with a slightly higher level of vision, both competing in track events.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities held across Asia, considered the continent's most prestigious para-sport event.
Why did Odisha CM Mohan Majhi congratulate Sharath?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Sharath for winning the silver medal in the Men's 1500m T12/13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, praising his determination and national contribution.
How has Odisha supported para sports?
Odisha has fielded para athletes in multiple Asian Para Games and Paralympic cycles and its state government regularly uses public platforms to recognise para sport achievements, signalling an inclusive sports policy.
