Gandhinagar, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
From working as a software engineer to winning a historic bronze medal for India at the Asian Para Games 2026, Prachi Pandey’s journey is a remarkable story of determination, resilience and sporting excellence.
The 33-year-old para table tennis player, who trains at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence (SAI NCoE) in Gandhinagar under the Khelo India programme, secured bronze in the women’s singles Class 6 event at the continental competition in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The achievement marked India’s first-ever medal in the event and came on her Asian Para Games debut.
Ranked World No. 17, Prachi advanced to the semifinals, where she faced Iraq’s World No. 5 Najlah Al-Dayyeni, the reigning Paralympic and Asian Para Games champion. Her podium finish against a strong international field marked a significant milestone in her career.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Prachi holds an M.Tech degree from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. She worked as a full-stack software developer from 2020 to 2023 before choosing to pursue para table tennis professionally. Despite challenges associated with a progressive neurological condition, she has steadily established herself among India’s leading para paddlers.
Her domestic achievements include gold medals at the National Para Table Tennis Championships in 2022 and 2023. She also won gold at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in 2023 and repeated the feat in the 2025 edition.
On the international circuit, Prachi won her first International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) medal at the 2023 Brazilian Para Open. Since then, she has accumulated 12 medals in ITTF ranking tournaments, comprising four silver and eight bronze medals. Her recent achievements include silver at the 2026 ITTF World Para Future Gold Coast and bronze at the 2026 ITTF World Para Future Nakhon Ratchasima, as well as bronze medals at the 2025 ITTF World Para Challenger Kaohsiung and the 2025 ITTF World Para Future Costa Brava.
A key factor in her progress has been the structured training and institutional support provided through Khelo India and SAI NCoE Gandhinagar, where she has been associated with the programme since June 2023.
Designated as the Nodal Centre for Para Sports, SAI NCoE Gandhinagar provides specialised coaching, sports science support, international competition exposure and comprehensive training facilities. Prachi follows an intensive schedule involving three training sessions daily, supported by specialists in strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, mental conditioning, rehabilitation and recovery.
The centre has facilitated three international exposure opportunities to help her gain experience against leading players. Her preparation has also received financial assistance of approximately Rs 26.86 lakh under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) during the Asian Para Games 2026 cycle, in addition to residential training facilities and other support.
Reflecting on her achievement, Prachi said winning a medal for India at her first Asian Para Games was a dream come true. She expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority of India, the Khelo India programme, SAI NCoE Gandhinagar, her coaches and the sports science team for their support, training facilities and international exposure.
She added that her journey from software engineering to the Asian Para Games podium had involved challenges, sacrifices and determination, and that the bronze medal had motivated her to aim higher and win further laurels for the country.
Prachi’s achievement also highlights the contribution of SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar, which is working to develop the NCoE into a premier training hub for para sports. With specialised programmes across six para disciplines and a growing focus on sports science, international exposure and athlete-centred support, the centre continues to strengthen India’s para-sports development ecosystem.
Her historic medal underlines the role of sustained institutional support and the Khelo India initiative in helping Indian athletes compete successfully at the international level.
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