Gujarat to emerge as major centre for athletes worldwide: Amit Shah

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said Gujarat is poised to emerge as a global sports hub, not only for hosting international competitions but also for athlete training, sports infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, sports engineering and medical science related to sports injuries.Shah made the remarks while virtually inaugurating the Hyundai World Archery Para Series (WAPS)-2026, being held in India for the first time at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront from September 5 to 9.
The inauguration was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Archery Association of India President and former Union Minister Arjun Munda.
Welcoming athletes from across the world, Shah said hosting the international para-archery competition in his parliamentary constituency was a matter of pride. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is working towards becoming the world's largest sports centre."Gujarat will emerge as a major centre for athletes from across the world, particularly in sports engineering and medical science related to sports injuries," Shah said, while highlighting the state's growing sports ecosystem.

VIDEO | Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 'World Archery Para Series 2026' in Ahmedabad via video conferencing, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah ) says, "With a comprehensive vision and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are moving… pic.twitter.com/lV0zN9G7Qn

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted Ahmedabad's expanding international sporting profile, saying the city is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and remains a strong contender for the 2036 Olympics. According to Shah, Ahmedabad is hosting around 10 international sporting events this year.Encouraging the Indian contingent at the championship, Shah said 29 Indian para-archers are taking part in the competition. He named athletes including Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami and Payal as inspirations for the country and expressed confidence that the event would help bring more world-class athletes to the forefront.Shah also invited visiting athletes to explore Gujarat's tourist destinations, including Somnath, Dwarka and Ekta Nagar, and experience the state's hospitality.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel welcomed the participating athletes on the occasion of Janmashtami and highlighted the traditional significance of archery in Indian culture, where the bow and arrow have long been associated with courage and discipline.Patel said the Prime Minister's 'Khele Te Khile' vision has brought a 360-degree transformation in India's sports sector. Sports, he noted, are not limited to winning medals but also contribute to youth development and nation-building.He credited initiatives such as Gujarat's Khel Mahakumbh and the national Khelo India programme with giving greater impetus to para-sports. He said India's para-athletes have made significant progress, winning seven of the country's 29 medals at the recent Commonwealth Games.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: On the inauguration of inaugural World Archery Para Series 2026, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel says, "...I welcome all the para-athletes who have come from different countries of the world to Gujarat, the birthplace of Lord Krishna and the land of revered… pic.twitter.com/3oLEltRhhb

— IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2026

Patel said a state-of-the-art Para-High Performance Centre is being developed in Gandhinagar at a cost of Rs 316 crore. The state government also provides financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to every para-athlete participating in the Paralympics, along with the Khel Pratibha Puraskar for winners.At the grassroots level, around 1,000 athletes are being trained in archery across 28 schools, he added.
Rs 66 crore allocated for sports in 2026-27
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi described the WAPS-2026 as more than a sporting competition, calling it a celebration of human potential, determination and resilience.He said the tournament is the fifth international sporting event to be held in Ahmedabad in the last six months, reflecting the state's growing sporting infrastructure and capabilities.Sanghavi noted that archery has emerged as a particular strength among young people in Gujarat's tribal regions, with several athletes bringing recognition to the country. He said the state has allocated Rs 66 crore for sports development in the 2026-27 financial year.He also highlighted the Khel Mahakumbh, which was launched during Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat

During the Opening Ceremony of the World Archery Para Series, athletes from across the world witnessed the rich culture, spiritual heritage and divine energy of India. pic.twitter.com/zJKjRsHHbq

— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) September 4, 2026

Chief Minister and now attracts more than 75 lakh participants every year.Sanghavi said an Asia's largest Para Sports Training Centre is being developed in Gandhinagar with modern facilities incorporating artificial intelligence and sports science. He said Gujarat's long-term objective is to establish itself as a global sports hub through major international events and world-class infrastructure.
Sheetal Devi receives Para Archer of the Year award
Arjun Munda, President of the Archery Association of India, thanked the Gujarat government for organising the international competition on a large scale during Janmashtami.Munda said the event also carries a symbolic connection between Arjun, the legendary archer of Indian tradition, and modern archers competing on the international stage. He said Indian archery is receiving a new direction along with other sports and praised the determination and competitive spirit of the participating athletes.During the event, World Archery Executive Director Juan Carlos Holgado conferred the 'Para Archer of the Year' award on World Para Archery Champion Sheetal Devi.

The championship is being organised by the Archery Association of India in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, Sports Authority of Gujarat and Sports Authority of India.Leading para-archers from around the world are competing across the Recurve Open, Compound Open, W-1 and Visually Impaired categories.The inauguration was also attended by World Archery Asia President Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol, International Judge Ghazaleh Rasouli, Archery Association of India Treasurer Joris Paulos, along with international archers, officials, coaches and support staff.
108 archers from 19 countries to participate
A total of 108 archers from 19 countries, including India, are participating in WAPS-2026.Besides 29 Indian archers, the participating countries include China, Great Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Slovakia, the United States, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cyprus, Czechia, Iraq and the Russian Federation.

The five-day championship at the Sabarmati Riverfront is expected to provide a major international platform for para-archers while further strengthening Ahmedabad's position on the global sporting map.

(State Correspondent)