Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar wins Asian Games silver, reveals he has no job
Synopsis
An Asian Games silver medal came with an uncomfortable spotlight — Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who helped India finish second in the 50m rifle 3P team event in Nagoya, publicly revealed he has no job and is waiting on the Madhya Pradesh government to act. The admission cuts through the celebratory noise and raises hard questions about how India supports its athletes beyond the medal podium.
Key Takeaways
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won a team silver in the 50m rifle 3P event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 25 September .
India's team of Tomar, Niraj Kumar , and Rudrankksh Patil finished second behind China .
Tomar and Kumar reached the individual final, finishing fifth and eighth respectively.
Tomar publicly revealed he is currently unemployed and urged the Madhya Pradesh government to address athlete employment.
He praised schemes like TOPS and Khelo India for supporting athletes' international journeys.
Indian rifle shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar returned from the Asian Games in Nagoya with a team silver medal in the 50m rifle 3P event on 25 September, but his post-competition remarks drew as much attention as his performance — the Madhya Pradesh-based shooter disclosed that he is currently unemployed and is hoping the state government will act on the matter.
Team Performance and Individual Disappointment
Tomar, alongside teammates Niraj Kumar and Rudrankksh Patil, delivered a combined performance strong enough to claim the team silver behind China. Tomar and Kumar subsequently advanced to the individual final, where they finished fifth and eighth respectively, narrowly missing the podium. The individual medal that Tomar had set his sights on proved elusive.
'It feels really good that we won the team silver medal. My effort was to win an individual medal as well, but unfortunately, that didn't happen, so I'm a bit disappointed about that. In the coming time, I will work even harder and win more medals for India,' Tomar said.
The Job Question
When asked about his personal journey, Tomar dedicated his medal to his family, friends, and all Indians, before making a candid admission: 'I don't have a job, but I hope the MP government will do something about employment now, as they have been talking about it for quite some time.'
The remark highlights a persistent challenge faced by Indian athletes outside the top tier of elite sport — competing at the highest international level without the financial security of government employment. Many Indian states operate sports quota recruitment schemes, but access remains inconsistent.
What Tomar Said About Government Sports Support
Despite his employment concerns, Tomar was appreciative of the broader ecosystem supporting Indian athletes. 'A lot of work has been done on sports infrastructure by the government. Schemes like the TOPS scheme and Khelo India help athletes in their journey to reach the international/Olympic level. The government is doing great in terms of sports development in India,' he said.
This comes amid a period of heightened investment in Indian shooting, which has produced multiple Olympic and Asian Games medallists in recent cycles.
What Happens Next
Tomar's public statement puts the Madhya Pradesh government on notice ahead of what is likely to be increased scrutiny on athlete welfare policies. Whether the state responds with a formal employment offer or through existing sports quota channels remains to be seen. For Tomar, the focus will shift back to training as he targets a stronger showing in future competitions, including the build-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Point of View
Yet a silver medallist at Asia's biggest multi-sport event is waiting in line for a job — that gap deserves more than a press release in response. The irony is sharp: the same government that is praised for TOPS and Khelo India has apparently not converted medal-winning performances into employment security for one of its own. Until athlete welfare is systematically institutionalised — not left to political goodwill — such admissions will keep surfacing, undermining the very brand of sporting excellence the government is trying to build.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar win at the Asian Games?
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won a team silver medal in the 50m rifle 3P event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 25 September, alongside teammates Niraj Kumar and Rudrankksh Patil. The Indian team finished behind China to claim silver.
Why did Aishwary Tomar say he hopes the MP government will act?
Tomar revealed after his Asian Games silver that he currently does not have a job, and expressed hope that the Madhya Pradesh government would address employment for athletes, noting they 'have been talking about it for quite some time.' The remark drew attention to the gap in athlete welfare despite strong international performances.
How did India perform in the individual 50m rifle 3P final?
Aishwary Tomar and Niraj Kumar both qualified for the individual final but did not win a medal — Tomar finished fifth and Kumar finished eighth. Tomar expressed disappointment at missing out on an individual podium finish.
What government schemes did Tomar praise for supporting Indian athletes?
Tomar praised the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Khelo India programme, saying they help athletes reach international and Olympic levels. He credited improved sports infrastructure as a significant positive step by the government.
What is the broader issue raised by Tomar's employment remark?
Tomar's disclosure highlights a systemic challenge for Indian athletes outside the elite-funded tier — competing at the highest levels without guaranteed government employment. Many Indian states have sports quota recruitment schemes, but their implementation remains inconsistent for athletes like Tomar.
