Ahmedabad, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ahmedabad is hosting its fifth international sporting tournament in six months, highlighting the city’s expanding sports infrastructure and Gujarat’s growing sporting ecosystem, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Friday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the World Archery Para Series (WAPS)-2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, Sanghavi said the increasing frequency of international events reflected Ahmedabad’s emergence as a major sporting destination.
“This is not merely a competition, but a celebration of human potential and strong determination,” he said.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually launched the championship, which is being held from September 5 to 9.
Sanghavi said archery had emerged as a natural strength among youngsters from tribal areas of Gujarat, with several athletes from these regions going on to represent India at the national and international levels.
He said Gujarat, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was committed to building a comprehensive sports ecosystem and had allocated Rs 66 crore for sports in the 2026-27 financial year.
Sanghavi also highlighted the expansion of the Khel Mahakumbh, an initiative launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. More than 75 lakh athletes now participate in the annual sporting event, he said.
An advanced Para Sports Training Centre is also being developed in Gandhinagar, with facilities incorporating artificial intelligence and sports science, Sanghavi added.
He said Gujarat’s long-term vision was to establish itself as a global sports hub by hosting major international competitions, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and, eventually, the Olympics.
The WAPS-2026 has brought together 108 archers from 19 countries, including India, China, Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Slovakia, the US, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cyprus, Czechia, Iraq and the Russian Federation.
The competition features Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1 and Visually Impaired categories.
During the event, World Para Archery champion Sheetal Devi received the Para Archer of the Year award from World Archery Executive Director Juan Carlos Holgado.
FOLLOW NOW
