Bhubaneswar: The Sports and Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha felicitated para archer Payal Nag for her outstanding performance at the World Para Archery Series 2026 held in Bangkok, where she clinched two gold medals and secured qualification for the upcoming Para Asian Games.
In recognition of her remarkable international achievement, Payal was awarded a special cash award of ₹5.46 lakh for winning the gold medals, along with an additional ₹3.23 lakh for the procurement of sports equipment to support her future training and competition preparations.
The felicitation ceremony was graced by the Minister of Sports and Youth Services, Sri Suryabansi Suraj, the MLA of Kantabanji, Laxman Bag, and DSYS officials, who extended their best wishes to the archer for the Para Asian Games and future international competitions.
Congratulating Payal on her exceptional accomplishment, Minister 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."
Expressing her joy, Payal Nag stated, "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, the Honourable Sports Minister, and the Honourable MLA of Kantabanji, Shri 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."
The state government officials reiterated their commitment to supporting athletes through world-class infrastructure, financial assistance, and high-performance initiatives to help them excel at the highest level.
