**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian para-archery contingent on April 13, 2026, following their top-place finish at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para Series. India secured 13 medals, doubling the tally of the second-placed nation and establishing a dominant international presence. The government reaffirmed its commitment to providing structured funding and world-class training as athletes prepare for upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Tournament Performance**
* India emerged as the top-performing nation among 21 participating countries, finishing with 13 medals: 7 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.
* The Indian contingent’s medal count was more than double that of the second-placed country, Indonesia (6 medals), and third-placed Thailand (5 medals).
* The event featured 113 athletes primarily from Asian and Pan-American regions.
**Individual Athlete Highlights**
* **Toman Kumar (TOPS Athlete):** Won 3 Gold medals (Compound Men Open, Mixed Team, Men Team).
* **Sheetal Devi (TOPS Athlete):** Secured 2 Gold (Mixed Team, Women Team) and 1 Silver (Women Open).
* **Payal Nag:** The world’s first quadruple amputee para archer won 2 Gold medals (Women Open, Women Team).
* **Harvinder Singh (Padma Shri, TOPS Athlete):** Earned 1 Gold (Men Team) and 1 Silver (Men Open).
* Other medalists included Shyam Sunder Swami, Bhawna, Swati Chaudhary, Rajshri Dhanraj Rathod, and Vijay Sundi.
**Contingent and Support Details**
* The Indian contingent comprised 39 members, including 21 athletes, 5 coaches, 3 support staff, and 10 escorts.
* Financial support was provided through the ANSF Scheme under the ACTC, with ₹1.04 crore spent on participation and ₹20.51 lakh on the preparatory camp.
**Government and Institutional Outlook**
* The Minister emphasized that athlete victories reflect national pride and "the spirit of New India."
* The government committed to continued support through structured funding, international exposure, and world-class training facilities.
* Performance expectations have been raised for future international events, specifically the Asian Games.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Para-Athletes**
**Impact**
Athletes have gained international recognition and significant medal success, bolstered by state funding and the TOPS/ANSF schemes.
**Action Required**
Athletes must continue to work hard and maintain excellence to meet rising expectations for upcoming competitions like the Asian Games.
**Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports**
**Impact**
The Ministry has successfully facilitated a top-tier performance through targeted financial schemes and preparatory support.
**Action Required**
The Ministry must sustain its commitment to providing structured funding and international exposure for para-athletes.
**Archery Association of India**
**Impact**
The Association’s leadership was recognized during the felicitation, highlighting their role in managing the contingent and the sport's growth.
**Action Required**
Association officials must continue to coordinate with the Ministry to ensure administrative support and training management remain world-class.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports who felicitated the Indian para-archery contingent for their performance at the World Archery Para Series.
Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para Series: The international sporting event where the Indian contingent finished first on the medal table with 13 medals.
ANSF Scheme: The Assistance to National Sports Federations scheme which provided funding for the participation and preparatory camp of the athletes.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): A government initiative cited as supporting the key medal-winning para-athletes in the contingent.
Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC): The policy framework under which the preparatory arrangements and expenditures for the event were supported.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Felicitates Indian Contingent for Stellar
Performance at Bangkok 2026 World Archery
Para Series
“When you win, it is never an individual victory, it is the
country that wins” — Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Posted On: 13 APR 2026 6:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today met and felicitated the
Indian contingent for delivering an outstanding performance at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para
Series held from March 30 to April 4, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Congratulating the athletes, the Minister lauded the contingent for not only topping the medal tally but
also securing double the number of medals compared to the second-placed country. He remarked, “I
congratulate you for not just topping the medal tally but also for winning double the number of medals
than the second country.”
Emphasising the collective nature of sporting success, Dr. Mandaviya stated that victory in international
competitions reflects the pride of the entire nation, noting that when athletes win, it is the country that
wins and every Indian shares in that pride.The tournament witnessed participation from 21 countries and 113 athletes, with strong representation
from Asian and Pan-American regions. India emerged as the top-performing nation, finishing first on the
medal table with a total of 13 medals, including 7 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze. Indonesia secured the
second position with 6 medals, followed by Thailand with 5.
Highlighting the broader significance of the achievement, the Minister said, “You represent the spirit of
New India, and what you accomplish today will define the sporting history of tomorrow.”He further
underlined that such performances would raise expectations for upcoming international events, including
the Asian Games, urging athletes to continue striving for excellence.
The Indian contingent, comprising 39 members (21 athletes, 5 coaches, 3 support staff, and 10 escorts),
delivered a dominant performance across categories. Participation and the preparatory camp for the event
were supported under the ACTC through the ANSF Scheme, with expenditures of ₹1.04 crore and ₹20.51
lakh respectively.
Key Highlights of India’s Medal-Winning Performances:
* Toman Kumar (TOPS Athlete): 3 Gold (Compound Men Open, Mixed Team, Men Team)
* Sheetal Devi (TOPS Athlete): 2 Gold (Mixed Team, Women Team), 1 Silver (Women Open)
* Payal Nag: 2 Gold (Women Open, Women Team)
* Harvinder Singh (Padma Shri, TOPS Athlete): 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Silver (Men Open)* Shyam Sunder Swami (TOPS Athlete): 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Bronze (Men Open)
* Bhawna (NCoE Athlete): 1 Gold (Women Open), 2 Bronze (Mixed Team, Women Team)
* Swati Chaudhary: 1 Silver (W1 Women)
* Rajshri Dhanraj Rathod: 1 Bronze (Women Team)
* Vijay Sundi: 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Bronze (Mixed Team)
Sharing their experiences, athletes and coaches highlighted both the competitive spirit and the pride of
representing India on the global stage. Payal Nag, the world’s first quadruple amputee para archer,
emerged as a standout performer with a gold medal in her category.
Sheetal Devi expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, stating that she was happy with the overall
management of the contingent and proud that India topped the medal tally. She also reflected on the
emotional moments during the event, noting that witnessing the Indian tricolour being unfurled and
hearing the national anthem multiple times amplified the pride of victory.
Coach Abhilasha Chaudhary observed that India emerged as a dominant force not only in terms of medal
tally but also in overall presence, adding that the country is increasingly being recognised as a global
power across multiple spheres, including sports.
Shyam Sunder Swami noted that India’s strong reputation preceded its participation, with competing
nations closely observing the categories in which Indian athletes were competing, anticipating tough
competition.
The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting para-athletes through structured
funding, world-class training, and international exposure. He emphasised that with rising expectations at
upcoming events, athletes must continue to work hard and keep excelling.
The felicitation ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Archery Association of India,
including Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva and Gautam Abrol.
****
Ayushman Kumar
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