Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi expressed her pleasure at the World Archery Para Series 2026 being held in India for the first time, emphasizing the opportunity it provides for local athletes to compete on home soil and for newcomers to gain valuable experience.
The event’s inauguration ceremony took place in Ahmedabad on September 4, with the competition set to run from September 5 to 9. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the ceremony via video conference.
Sheetal Devi described the experience as a matter of great joy, stating, “It is a matter of great joy that for the first time, an archery tournament is being held here, and we will also get a chance to play here, and the other new athletes who have come will also get a chance to play. Every time, we used to go out to play but this time it is happening here so it feels very good and it is also very good here as we used to see abroad. We have seen it here for the first time so it was very nice.
During the inauguration, Amit Shah highlighted India’s broader sporting ambitions, saying the country aims not only to top medal tallies but also to strengthen performance in major international events such as the Olympics and Asian Games.
He added that India is striving to become a global hub for modern sports infrastructure, training facilities, and sports equipment, while enhancing its capabilities in sports engineering and medical science.
“India’s goal is not just to win the most medals, but to enhance its strength in international competitions like the Olympics, Asian Games, and Police Games,” Shah said.
He further stated, “The coaching and training facilities at the sports center where this archery competition is taking place will be developed keeping international standards in mind. This center is set to become a major hub for training not only for players from India but from across the world. In the coming days, India will rapidly emerge as a leader in the fields of sports engineering and sports medical science as well. India will become a major medical center for the treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries.”
Shah added, “In the coming times, India will become a hub for training facilities and modern sports infrastructure. At the same time, it will emerge as a major center in the field of production of sports equipment. We are continuously moving forward to make India a major center in the world in the field of sports.”