Amit Shah Opens World Archery Para Series, Says Ahmedabad Can Become Global Sports Hub

Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the Archery Association of India’s ‘World Archery Para Series’ through video conferencing. In his address, Shah said that the competition, being held from September 5 to 9, 2026, will be a very memorable occasion for both the athletes and Ahmedabad.

Shah said that Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India will emerge as major hubs of the sporting world in the coming days. India will also become a hub for training in all kinds of sports, as well as for the production of sports facilities and equipment.

The Union Home Minister said that the aim is not merely to win the maximum number of medals, but to strengthen all the sports included in the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Police Games and other such competitions. He said that the state-of-the-art training and coaching facilities available here will not remain limited to Ahmedabad, Gujarat or India; rather, they are being developed keeping international standards in mind. This facility will become a major coaching hub not only for athletes from India but also for sportspersons from across the world. He said that in the coming days, India and Gujarat will also emerge as major global hubs in the field of sports injury care.

Shah said that athletes from 19 countries, including Bhutan, the United Kingdom, China, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Indonesia and the United States, are participating in the event. The Union Home Minister extended his best wishes to the 108 athletes from 19 countries participating in the ‘World Archery Para Series’ and said, “You have come to India, whose civilizational ethos is rooted in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family.” Athletes such as Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Sami and Payal Nag have brought glory to India at the global level.

The Union Minister of Cooperation said that the 2030 Commonwealth Games will mark the centenary edition, and it is a matter of great joy that Ahmedabad will host the event. Ahmedabad has also submitted its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, and we are confident that the 2036 Olympics will also be held in Ahmedabad. Shah added that Gujarat has hosted around 10 international sporting events between 2025 and 2026. These events provide participating athletes with an opportunity to experience and learn about Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India. He said that a champion is not made merely through sports, practice and coaching, but by the athlete’s desire to win.