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Odisha's Umabati Patra Wins Gold, Credits Khelo India Beach Games Platform

Umabati Patra from Odisha won gold in Pencak Silat at the Khelo India Beach Games, crediting the event as a major platform for athletes. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the Games, which provide a pathway to international competition. The second edition in Daman and Diu features over 1100 participants competing in eight sports, including volleyball and kabaddi. Other athletes, like bronze medallist Shreya, also praised the scale and opportunity of the national event.

Key Points: Khelo India Beach Games: A Huge Platform, Say Gold Medallists

  • Gold medallist praises platform
  • Over 1100 participants in 2026 edition
  • Features eight different sports
  • Opportunity for international stage
2 min read

Khelo India Beach Games is 'huge platform', grateful to PM Modi for it, says Odisha's Umabati Patra, gold medallist in Pencak Silat

Odisha's Umabati Patra, gold medallist in Pencak Silat, praises Khelo India Beach Games as a huge platform, grateful to PM Modi for the opportunity.

"Khelo India is a huge platform, and I am very grateful to Prime Minister Modi for starting it. - Umabati Patra"

Diu, Jan 8

Till two years back, there was no opportunity for lakhs of talented youngsters around the country to participate in major beach games. The Khelo India Beach Games, currently being held in Daman and Diu, has come out as a great opportunity for these sportspersons to showcase their talent and hope to make it to the international stage from there.

Umabati Patra from Odisha, who won the gold medal in Pencak Silat in the second edition of the Khelo India Beach Games, told IANS on Thursday how the Games are a huge platform for them and was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing such an opportunity to sportspersons like her.

"It feels amazing (to participate in these Games), and I am very happy to have won the gold medal, and I would like to give credit to the Sports Department, Odisha, for helping us train well for this competition; they took care of our diet, and all facilities were great," Umabati Patra told IANS.

"We did hard work in the lead-up to the Games, and therefore we won the gold medal. Credit for winning this gold also goes to my coach, Prem Singh Thapa, who is the secretary of our state association, as they made all the arrangements for our training. Khelo India is a huge platform, and I am very grateful to Prime Minister Modi for starting it," she said.

Shreya, who won a bronze medal in the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG), told IANS, "It feels amazing to win a bronze medal on such a big platform. Khelo India is a huge platform and feels almost like an international event. I am very grateful for this opportunity," she added.

The Khelo India Beach Games 2026, organised by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, is being held under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and national sports federations.

The second edition of Khelo India Beach Games 2026 is witnessing over 1100 participants compete in eight different sports -- volleyball, soccer, sepaktakraw, kabaddi, pencak silat, Open water swimming, mallakhamb, and tug-of-war. The first six will be medal sports, and 32 gold medals are up for grabs.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Heartwarming to see credit given where it's due – to the state sports dept, the coach, AND the PM for the initiative. This holistic support system is what creates champions. Hope this momentum continues and we see these athletes at the Asian Games soon! Jai Hind!
A
Aman W
While I appreciate the platform, I hope the focus remains on sustainable sports development. One event is great, but we need consistent funding, infrastructure, and grassroot programs in every district, not just around games time. Let's build on this foundation properly.
S
Sarah B
The inclusion of traditional sports like Kabaddi and Mallakhamb alongside beach volleyball and soccer is brilliant. It showcases India's diverse sporting culture. Congratulations to all the medal winners!
V
Vikram M
Daman and Diu is a beautiful location for this! Promotes tourism and sports together. Our athletes get to compete in a scenic environment. More such events should be hosted in different coastal states. Kudos to the organizers.
K
Kavya N
As someone from Odisha, I feel so proud! Umabati's win highlights the talent in our state beyond just hockey. The mention of diet and facility support is crucial – often that's the missing link for rural athletes. Hope this inspires thousands more girls to take up sports.

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