Ahmedabad, Sep 4 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the Archery Association of India’s ‘World Archery Para Series Amdavad 2026’ through video conferencing, with the international competition set to bring 108 athletes from 19 countries to Ahmedabad from September 5 to 9.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Union Minister Shah said the competition would be a memorable occasion for both the participating athletes and Ahmedabad.
Archers from countries, including Bhutan, the UK, China, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Indonesia and the US are taking part in the series.
Welcoming the athletes to India, Union Minister Shah said, “You have come to India, whose civilisational ethos is rooted in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family.”
He added that Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India would emerge as major hubs of the sporting world in the coming years.
“The sports facilities being developed in Ahmedabad would be built in accordance with international standards and would serve athletes from India as well as sportspersons from other countries,” he said.
Union Minister Shah added that India would also develop as a centre for training across different sports and for the production of sports facilities and equipment.
He said that the country is expected to emerge as a global leader in sports engineering and sports medical science, while becoming an important centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
“The coaching and training facilities at this sports centre will be developed in accordance with international standards,” Union Minister Shah said, adding that the centre would become a major training hub not only for Indian athletes but also for sportspersons from across the world.
He said that Gujarat had hosted around 10 international sporting events during 2025 and 2026, giving participating athletes an opportunity to experience Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India.
Union Minister Shah also referred to Ahmedabad’s future sporting calendar, saying the 2030 Commonwealth Games would be the centenary edition and that it was a matter of great joy that Ahmedabad would host the event.
He said that Ahmedabad had also submitted its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games and expressed confidence that the Games would be held in the city.
“A champion is not made merely through sports, practice and coaching, but by the athlete’s desire to win,” Union Minister Shah added.
He described the series as a prestigious test of archers’ single-minded focus and said it would set new benchmarks of excellence.
He also said the event would highlight Ahmedabad’s potential as a destination for hosting global sporting events and reiterated that India is building a “large sporting ecosystem”.
–IANS
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