Modi praises India’s teenage Asian Games gold medallist Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Modi highlighted the achievements of athletes aged 15‑17 and announced a focus on talent identification for children 5‑15.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:09:52 GMT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Asian Games contingent in New Delhi on Thursday, praising 15‑year‑old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and other athletes aged 15‑17 for their performances at the 2026 Asian Games.

What happened

During the interaction at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Modi highlighted that India finished fourth in the medal tally with 85 medals – 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze – after the Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan. He singled out Sooryavanshi, who became the country’s youngest Asian Games gold medallist at 15 years, six months and six days, for opening the innings in the cricket final and scoring 15 runs off nine balls.

What the reports add

Gulf News reported that Modi said age is “no barrier to success” and that the government is placing “special emphasis on identifying and training talented children between the ages of 5 and 15,” referencing the Khelo India and Emerging Khelo India programmes.
News18 noted that the ceremony began at 4:30 pm IST and that the audience included Indian Olympic Association officials, coaches, support staff, representatives of National Sports Federations and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Gulf News piece also mentioned other teenage stand‑outs: 17‑year‑old archer Kumkum Mohod, who won two gold medals and a silver, and young athletes Anahat Singh (silver in women’s singles squash) and Parth Mane (silver in the men’s 10m air rifle team event).
Modi urged athletes to strengthen preparations for upcoming international competitions, specifically the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and reiterated India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, noting a talent‑hunt campaign announced from the Red Fort.

What was said

“At such a young age, these athletes have brought glory to the country through their outstanding performances and won the hearts of the people. This shows that age is no barrier to success,”

Modi said, as reported by Gulf News.

“We are placing special emphasis on identifying and training talented children between the ages of 5 and 15,”

He added, also cited by Gulf News.

How it came about

India’s cricket gold medal win, in which Sooryavanshi contributed 15 runs, was covered earlier by Felo News on 4 October (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes India’s youngest Asian Games cricket gold medallist). The broader success of the Indian contingent at the Asian Games, including a record‑high medal haul, set the stage for the Prime Minister’s recognition of the young athletes.

Key facts

India finished fourth in the 2026 Asian Games medal tally with 85 medals (21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze). (news18.com)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest Asian Games gold medallist at 15 years, six months and six days. (gulfnews.com)
Modi said the government will focus on identifying and training children aged 5‑15 for sport. (gulfnews.com)
The meeting with the Indian contingent took place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 4:30 pm IST. (news18.com)