In a grand gesture celebrating international athletic excellence, the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha government hosted a special felicitation ceremony for para archer Payal Nag.
The event recognised her stellar performance at the recently concluded World Para Archery Series 2026 in Bangkok, where she dominated the field to clinch two gold medals and officially secured her spot in the upcoming Para Asian Games.
In recognition of her remarkable international achievement, the state approved a dual financial package. According to an official press release from Sports Odisha, Nag was awarded a special cash incentive of Rs 5,46,666 for her double-gold performance.
Additionally, a dedicated grant of Rs 3,23,100 was sanctioned specifically to help her procure top-tier sports equipment for her upcoming training regimens and high-stakes competitions.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by prominent state dignitaries, including Odisha’s Minister of Sports and Youth Services, Suryabansi Suraj, and Kantabanji MLA, Laxman Bag, alongside top officials from the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS). The leadership extended their warmest wishes to the young athlete, projecting high expectations for her upcoming appearance at the Para Asian Games.
Congratulating Payal on her exceptional accomplishment, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, “Payal Nag’s success on the international stage is a proud moment for Odisha and the nation. Her determination, discipline, and achievements are truly inspiring and reflect the growing strength of para sports in Odisha.”
Payal Nag also thanked the ministers and the government for their support and said, “I am very happy to be back in Odisha and among my people after this memorable achievement. The encouragement and support I have received from the Government of Odisha, Hon’ble Sports Minister, and Hon’ble MLA Kantabanji Laxman Bag mean a lot to me and motivate me to continue working harder for the country. I sincerely thank everyone for recognising and supporting my journey.”
