TN CM's Office felicitates Baby Sahana Ravi, announces Rs 30 lakh prize
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Tamil Nadu congratulated para table tennis player Baby Sahana Ravi for winning bronze in Women's Class 9 at the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan, and announced a Rs 30 lakh cash incentive from the state government in her honour.
Key Takeaways
Baby Sahana Ravi won a bronze medal in the Women's Class 9 para table tennis event at the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan .
The Chief Minister's Office of Tamil Nadu announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh for the athlete on 20 October 2026 .
The award was described as a 'distinguished incentive' ( உயரிய ஊக்கத்தொகை ) recognising hard work and dedication.
Tamil Nadu has a long-standing policy of rewarding international medal winners with cash prizes across Olympic, Asian, and Para Games cycles.
The CM's Office framed the victory as an inspiration for young para-sport athletes across Tamil Nadu.
A bronze medal at the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan — and within hours, a Rs 30 lakh cash incentive from the Tamil Nadu government. The Chief Minister's Office of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, congratulated para table tennis player Baby Sahana Ravi for winning bronze in the Women's Class 9 category, making her the toast of both Tamil Nadu and India.
The official post, in Tamil, read: 'ஜப்பானில் நடைபெற்றுவரும் 5-வது பாரா ஆசிய விளையாட்டுப் போட்டிகளில்...' ('At the 5th Para Asian Games currently being held in Japan, athlete Baby Sahana Ravi has brought glory to Tamil Nadu and India by winning a bronze medal in Women's Class 9 table tennis — I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to her.')
A Rs 30 lakh salute to a hard-won bronze
The Chief Minister's Office announced that the Tamil Nadu government will present Rs 30 lakh as a 'distinguished incentive' (உயரிய ஊக்கத்தொகை) in recognition of Baby Sahana Ravi's achievement. The post specifically cited her 'hard work and dedication' as the driving force behind the medal.
Tamil Nadu has a well-established practice of rewarding athletes with cash prizes for international podium finishes — covering Asian Games, Paralympic and Olympic cycles — and this announcement continues that tradition for the para-sports arena.
Why Baby Sahana Ravi's medal matters beyond the podium
The Chief Minister's Office framed the win as more than a personal triumph: it is expected to 'give new inspiration to young para-sport athletes of Tamil Nadu.' That framing points to a deliberate state strategy — using marquee achievements to seed the next generation of para-athletes.
Across India, state governments have increasingly expanded financial recognition for para-sport medals, mirroring national efforts to lift India's tally at continental para competitions. A bronze at the Asian Para Games — the quadrennial multi-sport event organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee — sits near the top of that incentive hierarchy, and Tamil Nadu's swift, high-value response signals it is serious about building that pipeline.
The announcement closes with a wish: that Baby Sahana Ravi wins 'many more victories in the future, bringing further glory to Tamil Nadu and India.' The Rs 30 lakh, when it arrives, will be more than a reward — it will be the state telling every young para-athlete watching that the scoreboard has consequences.
Point of View
High-value cash reward underscores a calculated state effort to make para-sport achievement financially consequential — not just symbolically acknowledged. By publicly pegging Rs 30 lakh to a continental bronze, the government signals to coaches, families, and athletes that the disability sports pathway is worth investing in. This mirrors a broader national pattern where states compete on incentive generosity to build para-sport pipelines ahead of Paris 2028 and beyond. The real test will be whether the announced sum is disbursed promptly and whether it is accompanied by structural investment in training infrastructure for para-athletes.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baby Sahana Ravi?
Baby Sahana Ravi is a para table tennis player from Tamil Nadu who won a bronze medal in the Women's Class 9 category at the 5th Asian Para Games held in Japan in 2026.
How much prize money did Tamil Nadu announce for Baby Sahana Ravi?
The Tamil Nadu government announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh for Baby Sahana Ravi in recognition of her bronze medal at the Asian Para Games.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee. The 5th edition is being held in Japan.
What is Women's Class 9 in para table tennis?
In para table tennis, players are classified into functional categories based on their disability. Class 9 includes athletes with a physical impairment who play while standing, typically with limited but functional use of their playing arm or legs.
Does Tamil Nadu regularly give cash awards to athletes for international medals?
Yes. Tamil Nadu has an established practice of announcing cash incentives for athletes who win medals at the Asian Games, Olympics, Paralympic Games, and para-sport continental competitions.
