"Khelo India proved to be game-changer": Amit Shah lauds Indian contingent for 107 medals at Asian Games

Rohtak (Haryana) [India], October 11 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday praised the Indian athletes for winning more than 100 medals for the first time after Independence and said that Khelo India proved to be a game-changer. 

"I want to mention that the Asian Games 2022 just got over and it's a matter of joy for all of us, especially Haryana, that India won more than 100 medals for the first time after Independence," Amit Shah said in Haryana. 

He further said that after 2014, India played very well and the main reason is that PM Modi. 

"In every game...after 2014, India played very well and the main reason is PM Modi. He not only gave speeches by supported athletes. Under the leadership of PM Modi each and every athlete training was taken care of. The athlete was been provided with a proper diet and health. Khelo India proved to be a game-changer," he added. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with India's Asian Games contingent, which achieved a record medal tally, and said they had created history.

Prime Minister said women athletes have performed very well and it shows the capability of the country's daughters.

"I am proud that our 'Nari Shakti' performed very well in the Asian Games. It tells about the capability of the daughters of India," PM Modi said in his remarks.

He said there is an atmosphere of celebration across the country due to the performance of the Indian contingent.

"You have created history...I welcome all of you (athletes) on behalf of 140 crore Indians. Because of your hard work and achievements, there is an atmosphere of celebration across the country. We never had a dearth of talent in our country but due to several obstacles, our athletes weren't able to convert their talent into medals," he said at the event held at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here.

India crossed the 100-medal mark for the first time in their Asian Games history, making this one of the most memorable sporting events for the country in a long while and something that will immortalise all the athletes taking part in it.

India finished their Asian Games 2023 campaign with a record haul of 107 medals, 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.

This surpassed India's previous record tally achieved at the last edition at Jakarta 2018, where a 570-strong Indian squad racked up 70 medals, 16 gold, 23 silver, and 31 bronze.

Shooting led the way for India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou with an unprecedented haul of 22 medals, which included seven gold.

Athletics, headlined by Neeraj Chopra's successful title defence in the javelin throw, came a close second with six gold along with 14 silver and nine bronze. Athletics gave the country a total of 29 medals. (ANI)