Ahmedabad, September 3 (Daily Kiran) : India is set to host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series for the first time, taking place from September 5 to 9 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The event will feature more than 100 athletes from 20 different countries, marking a significant international para-archery competition in the city.
This tournament is the third leg of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series. The first leg was held in April in Bangkok, followed by the second leg in Nové Město, Czech Republic, from June 30 to July 4. The final leg is scheduled for October in Santiago, Chile.
Organized by the Archery Association of India (AAI) in collaboration with the Gujarat government, the Sports Authority of Gujarat, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the tournament will include competitions in categories such as Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1, and Visually Impaired.
Participating nations include India, China, Great Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Slovakia, the USA, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Iraq, Russia, and Sri Lanka.
Several prominent para-archers from India will compete, including Harvinder Singh, the Paris 2024 Paralympic champion, World Para Archery Champion and Paralympic medalist Sheetal Devi, Arjuna Awardee and World Para Archery medalist Rakesh Kumar, and Paralympian Shyam Sundar Swami. The Indian team consists of 29 archers, currently training at SAI’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar. Eleven members of the team have also been selected for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi noted that this event will provide para-athletes with an international platform to compete and showcase Gujarat’s growing role in hosting major sports events. He stated, “The opening ceremony, themed ‘Every Arrow Tells a Story of Courage,’ will celebrate the determination, courage, and sportsmanship of para-athletes. The tournament will demonstrate precision and dedication on an international stage. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, Gujarat has emerged as a key hub for hosting international sporting events, enhancing its reputation for major sports gatherings and providing para-archery with a global platform.”
The formal inauguration of the tournament will take place on September 4. AAI President Arjun Munda expressed pride in hosting the series in Ahmedabad, emphasizing that it will give Indian archers a chance to compete against top international players in their own country.
Munda remarked, “Hosting the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad is a matter of pride for the Archery Association of India. Bringing the world’s best para-archers to India will provide our players with opportunities for world-class competition and inspire a new generation of athletes.”
He added that Ahmedabad’s selection reflects India’s increasing capacity to host major international sporting events and its commitment to inclusive and accessible sports.
AAI Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva highlighted that this event will bring together players, coaches, and members of the international archery community, contributing to the development of the para-archery ecosystem in India. He stated, “Hosting the World Archery Para Series in India is a significant achievement for the sport and the para-archery ecosystem. Bringing world-class athletes to India showcases the quality of para-archery to a larger audience while providing an opportunity for players, coaches, and the international archery community to come together on Indian soil.”
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