From grassroots to Olympic podium: Noida honours Para-Games champions

Noida: Gauri Shiksha Foundation and Prometheus Sports Academy organised the grand prize distribution ceremony of the Noida Sports Talent Hunt – Edition 2 at Prometheus School, Sector 131, Noida, on Monday.

The event also featured a special felicitation ceremony honouring India’s medal-winning athletes at the Asian Para Games 2026 for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the country's sporting glory.

In recognition of their accomplishments, the champions were presented with cash rewards. Gold medallists received Rs 1 lakh each, silver medallists Rs 75,000, while bronze medallists were awarded Rs 50,000 each.

The ceremony acknowledged leading para-athletes representing Team India across diverse disciplines, including Praveen Kumar (Men’s High Jump T64 – Gold), Simran Sharma (Women’s 100m & 200m T12 – Double Gold), Preeti Pal (Women’s 100m & 200m T35 – Double Silver), Surya Kant Yadav (Para Badminton Men’s Doubles SL3–SU5 – Bronze), Swati Chaudhary (Para Archery Women’s W1 – Silver), Varun Singh Bhati (Men’s High Jump T63 – Silver), Ajeet Singh (Men’s Javelin Throw F46 – Silver), Ashok Malik (Para Powerlifting Men’s up to 65 kg – Silver), Bhawna Choudhary (Para Archery Recurve Women’s Doubles – Silver), and Nitesh Kumar (Para Badminton).

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Mukesh Sharma, Founder Chairperson of Prometheus School and Founder Trustee of Gauri Shiksha Foundation, shared his vision for youth sports and infrastructure development in India. Reflecting on Prometheus Sports Academy's Olympic-standard infrastructure—encompassing eight indoor badminton courts, a 15-table table tennis arena, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, shooting ranges, and gymnastics facilities—he emphasised that transforming Indian athletics requires early grassroots intervention and parental encouragement. He urged families to engage children in competitive sports and commended collaborative initiatives, including the work of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), for empowering national athletes.

The joint initiative by Gauri Shiksha Foundation and Prometheus Sports Academy is designed not only to celebrate elite podium finishes, but also to identify emerging sporting talent across Noida through the talent hunt—providing promising athletes with scholarships, world-class coaching, and development pathways. The initiative reaffirms a long-term commitment to positioning Indian athletes on global podiums at upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tags : Gauri Shiksha Foundation, Prometheus Sports Academy, Noida, Talent Hunt, Para, Olympic