Ahmedabad, Sep 5 — Gujarat is developing an advanced Para High Performance Centre in Gandhinagar at a cost of Rs 316 crore, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Friday while welcoming athletes participating in the World Archery Para Series (WAPS)-2026 in Ahmedabad.
Patel made the remarks during the inauguration of the international para archery event, which is being held at the Sabarmati Riverfront from September 5 to 9.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated the tournament.
Welcoming the athletes on the occasion of Janmashtami, Patel said the bow and arrow had been symbols of valour and discipline in Sanatan culture since the times of Lord Krishna and Lord Ramchandra.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the country the mantra ‘Khele Toh Khile’, and under his leadership, India’s sports sector had undergone a '360-degree transformation'," he said.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s address from the Red Fort, Patel said sports are not merely a means of winning medals but also a medium for the personality development of young people and nation-building.
"Initiatives such as the Khel Mahakumbh, launched in Gujarat during PM Modi’s tenure as chief minister, and Khelo India at the national level had given a new direction to para sports," he said.
Patel said that while para sports had once had a limited presence, athletes with disabilities had subsequently made a significant contribution to India’s medal tally.
"Of the 29 medals won by India at the recent Commonwealth Games, seven were secured by athletes with disabilities," he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government is also providing financial support to athletes with disabilities participating in the Paralympics. Each such athlete is eligible for assistance of Rs 10 lakh, while winners are given the Khel Pratibha Puraskar.
"Efforts are also being made to develop archery at the grassroots level, with 1,000 athletes being trained in 28 schools," he noted.
Patel said Ahmedabad had been awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and that India is moving ahead with its resolve to organise the Olympics in 2036.
The WAPS-2026 is being organised by the Archery Association of India in collaboration with the state government, Sports Authority of Gujarat and Sports Authority of India.
A total of 108 archers from 19 countries, including 29 from India, are participating in the competition across the Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1 and Visually Impaired categories.