Sports · Cricket · 53 mins ago
Modi Praises Young Asian Games Athletes as Sooryavanshi Smiles
At a New Delhi event after the 2026 Asian Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's young athletes.
Among them was 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the youngest Indian to win an Asian Games gold medal.
Teammates appeared to tease him as Modi praised the young competitors, and Sooryavanshi's smiling reaction spread online.
India finished the Games with 85 medals, including 21 golds.
Debutants won 41 medals, while women athletes won 38, including 11 golds.
Modi urged medal-winners to mentor young athletes and inspire children by visiting schools.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Asian Games medal-winners in New Delhi on Thursday and praised their performances.
Modi urged young athletes to aim high, including at the 2028 Olympics, and spoke about India’s ambitions to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.
Fifteen-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smiled after Modi praised young members of the Indian contingent, and a video of the reaction went viral.
India finished the Asian Games with 85 medals, including 21 gold, while debutants won 41 medals.
Athletes said the meeting encouraged them to pursue bigger goals and help inspire the next generation.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s Asian Games medal-winners, including young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
- What
- Modi congratulated the athletes and praised young competitors; Sooryavanshi’s smiling reaction drew attention online.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi.
- Why
- Modi met the medal-winners to congratulate them and encourage them to pursue sporting ambitions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Modi met India’s Asian Games medal-winners at an event in New Delhi.
Modi praised young members of the Indian contingent, and Sooryavanshi smiled as teammates appeared to tease him.
A video of Sooryavanshi’s reaction circulated online and went viral.
- India’s Asian Games medal total
- 85 medals, including 21 gold
- Debutants’ medal total
- 41 medals
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s age
- 15 years, 6 months and 7 days
- India’s Olympic hosting ambition
- 2036
- India’s Commonwealth Games hosting plan
- 2030
5 sources
'Reel ke chakkar mein thuk jaoge': Sooryavanshi warns paps - Watch
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Reaction To PM Modi's Praise For Young Players At Asiad Goes Viral
VVS Laxman's Heartfelt Post For PM Modi After Asian Games Felicitation Ceremony
What people are saying
At such a young age, these players have enhanced the pride of the country with their spectacular performances.
This shows that for success, age is not a restriction.
The way he motivated us and spoke about the hard work of athletes and his vision for the future was very motivating.
He told us that we will do it. We will give our 100 per cent for the pride of our country.