Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to sportsperson Jay Meena for clinching the bronze medal in the men’s individual soft tennis event, marking a landmark achievement for Indian sports. With this victory, Jay Meena has etched his name in history as the first-ever Indian athlete to secure an Asian Games medal in the discipline of soft tennis.

Taking to social media, the Prime Minister lauded the young athlete’s dedication and hard work, noting that his accomplishment would inspire a new generation of sportspersons to take up lesser-known sports and excel on the international stage. The Prime Minister emphasised that such achievements reflect the growing depth and diversity of Indian sporting talent across disciplines that have traditionally received less attention.

Soft tennis, a variant of the sport played with a softer rubber ball, has been steadily gaining popularity across Asian countries, though it has had limited exposure in India until now. Jay Meena’s bronze medal performance at the Asian Games is being seen as a breakthrough moment that could pave the way for greater investment and interest in the sport domestically.

Sports officials and fans alike have hailed the achievement as a proud moment for the nation, coming at a time when India continues to expand its footprint across a wider range of sporting disciplines at major international events. Meena’s journey to the podium is expected to encourage more young athletes to explore soft tennis as a viable competitive sport.

The Prime Minister’s message of appreciation is part of a broader pattern of the government’s continued encouragement of athletes who bring laurels to the country, regardless of how mainstream or niche their chosen sport may be. Officials noted that recognition at the highest levels of government often serves as a significant morale booster for athletes competing in emerging sporting categories.

With this historic medal, Jay Meena joins the ranks of Indian athletes who have made pioneering contributions to introducing and popularising new sports on the global stage, further strengthening India’s growing presence in the Asian Games and other international sporting competitions.