Bhubaneswar: Odisha para archer Payal Nag on Wednesday received a cash award of Rs 10 lakh from the State government in recognition of her silver medal-winning performance at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026.
The award was presented to her at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department, Bhupendra Singh Poonia, and Director of the department, Dr. Yeddula Vijay.
Congratulating the archer, Poonia said her performance had brought pride and recognition to Odisha and inspired other sportspersons in the state. He also wished her success in future competitions and reiterated the department’s commitment to promoting sports and supporting athletes.
Hailing from Balangir district, Payal has emerged as a promising name in international para archery. She made history in December 2025 by becoming the first quadruple amputee archer to compete internationally at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai.
Her achievements include two gold medals at the 6th National Para Archery Championship in Jaipur in January 2025 and a silver medal at the 2nd Khelo India Para Games in March 2025.
In 2026, she won two gold medals at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, claiming titles in both the women’s compound individual and team events. She also secured a bronze medal at the World Archery Para Series in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
At the 7th National Para Archery Championship in 2026, she added a silver and a bronze medal to her record.
Payal partnered Sheetal Devi in the women’s compound doubles final, where the Indian duo finished runners-up after a 141–150 defeat to China’s Xu Xueqing and Zhao Jing. The silver medal marked Payal’s international breakthrough at the senior Asian Para Games, adding another achievement to her growing career.
Payal was also honoured with the Biju Patnaik Best Upcoming Athlete of the Year Award 2025 by the Odisha government.
