The Regional Centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Gandhinagar hosted a felicitation ceremony on 28 October 2026 to honour Indian para-athletes who clinched medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The event celebrated the athletes' perseverance and performances, while also recognising the critical contributions of their coaches and support teams.

India's Medal Haul and NCOE Gandhinagar's Contribution

India finished the Asian Para Games 2026 with an impressive tally of 114 medals. Of these, current and former athletes associated with NCOE Gandhinagar collectively contributed 16 medals — a figure that underscores the centre's growing role in India's para-sports ecosystem.

Among the standout performers, Tejalben Amraji Damor won silver in the Women's 400m T12 and bronze in the Women's 200m T12. Prachi Pandey, an NCOE Gandhinagar and Khelo India athlete, secured bronze in the Women's Singles Class 6 para table tennis event. Shubham Wadhwa claimed bronze medals in both the Men's Doubles MD4 and Mixed Doubles XD7 para table tennis events.

Among former NCOE athletes, Nimisha won silver in the T46 Long Jump, while Shailesh Kumar secured gold in High Jump and bronze in Long Jump.

Athletes Speak: Gratitude and Future Ambitions

Prachi Pandey expressed gratitude for the training and sporting facilities at SAI, noting that athletes benefit from sport-specific coaching, fitness training, sports psychology support, mental conditioning, yoga and meditation. 'These facilities help athletes improve their performance,' she said, adding confidence that continued support would help Indian para-athletes achieve greater success internationally.

Shubham Wadhwa shared his remarkable sporting journey, recounting how returning to competitive sport after a motorcycle accident in 2015 was a formidable challenge. With the backing of his family, coaches and SAI, he described winning two gold medals for India at his first Asian Para Games. Wadhwa set his sights on a medal at the upcoming World Championships, strong performances at the Commonwealth Games 2030, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Tejalben Amraji Damor credited SAI and her coach Nitin Chaudhary for her development, pointing to the quality of facilities and training at the centre. She also expressed hope that India would achieve new milestones globally, particularly as Gujarat prepares to host the Commonwealth Games 2030.

What the Officials Said

Prashant Singh, Regional Director, SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar, said: 'Our priority is to provide athletes with quality coaching, facilities, nutrition and sports science support to help them achieve their full potential. These achievements reflect their hard work, the dedication of their coaches and the collective efforts of our support staff. We remain committed to strengthening this support as they prepare for future international competitions.'

The ceremony was also attended by Bibhubhushan, Deputy Director, SAI NCOE Ahmedabad, and Ishpreet Kaur, Assistant Director, SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar, who congratulated the athletes and coaches on their contributions to para-sports.

SAI's Commitment to Para-Sports Development

The medallists and other NCOE athletes who participated in the Asian Para Games 2026 were felicitated with bouquets at the ceremony. The event also acknowledged the role of families in preparing athletes for international competition — a dimension of para-sport support that often goes unrecognised.

SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar has positioned itself as a hub for para-sporting talent, combining coaching infrastructure with sports science and mental wellness programmes. With Commonwealth Games 2030 and the Los Angeles Paralympics on the horizon, the centre's athletes are already targeting the next level of international competition.