KATRA: The Para-archers, Rakesh Kumar, Sheetal Devi, and Sarita, who received training and development at SMVD Sports Complex, have once again made history and brought honour to the nation and JK-UT by winning five medals in various categories of the Archery events held during the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The games began on October 22 and ended on October 28, 2023. In the intense match against the host side, China, Rakesh and Sheetal Devi battled hard and were victorious in the compound mixed team category. In addition, after a hard-fought match against Iran, Rakesh Kumar brilliantly won the silver medal in the Men's Individual Compound Archery event. He also won the silver medal in the Men's Doubles Compound Open event alongside Suraj Singh.In a thrilling match against Singapore, Shrine Para's incredible archer Sheetal Devi produced a stunning display to win the coveted gold medal in the women's individual compound open event. In addition, Sheetal and Sarita had placed second in the women's doubles compound archery competition. It's important to note that Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar have won three gold each from the Para Asian Games. Rakesh Kumar, Sheetal Devi, and Sarita, the para archers, have received congratulations from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for their medal victories at the Asian Para Games and for making the nation proud by sharing on X. "We are the Glorious Gold winners, our Mixed Para Archery Team. Congratulations to Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi for their outstanding performance.This success is a result of their accuracy, commitment, and extraordinary abilities." and "We would like to congratulate Sheetal Devi and Sarita, our para archers, on winning a fantastic Silver Medal in the Women's Doubles Compound Event. India is happy about this well-earned achievement." In addition to praising the athletes for their success at the Para Asian Games and for making the Board and JK-UT proud by taking home five of Team India's seven gold in archery, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, also tweeted on X."A tremendous accomplishment! Congrats to Sheetal Devi on her amazing gold medal win in the women's individual compound open archery competition." In addition, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Member of the Shrine Board and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Shrine Board's Sports Complex, congratulated all of the Para archers who were competing for the nation in the Para Asian Games on their outstanding performance. While thanking all of the Para archers, Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, also said that the Shrine Board is proud of the players who were raised at the SMVD Sports Complex and that they are putting Jammu & Kashmir, UT, on the map.He gave off the impression that the athletes being trained at the Shrine Board's Sports Complex would break records soon because of the top-notch facilities, knowledgeable coaching, perseverance, and hard effort. He stated that the Sports Complex is being developed as a centre of excellence, and he urged athletes to make the most of the cutting-edge equipment and other facilities available there. The Shrine Board, chaired by Lieutenant Governor JK-UT, is dedicated to supporting young people and giving them a stage on which to display their talents. It is noteworthy that the SMVD Sports Complex is fostering future athletes in the sports of archery, shooting, and athletics by offering monthly scholarships exceeding one lakh rupees in accordance with the Sports-Core Policy. The objective of this initiative is to foster an environment and encourage excellence inside the SMVDSB Sports Complex.
