Gujarat Government Honours Elavenil Valarivan with ₹1.33 Crore Khel Pratibha Award
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi Says Gujarat Committed to Nurturing Sporting Talent for Global Competitions
Sanskar Dham-Educated Shooter Becomes Inspiration for Thousands of Young Athletes Across Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s sporting talent has made its mark on the international stage as rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan clinched two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. In recognition of her outstanding performance, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented her with a cheque of ₹1.33 crore under the state’s Khel Pratibha Award scheme.
Valarivan secured silver medals in both the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Individual and Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team events, delivering an impressive performance and bringing pride to Gujarat and India.
Congratulating the young athlete, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the Gujarat Government is committed to providing talented athletes with the necessary training, facilities and support to prepare them for global competitions.
He also highlighted the contribution of parents in shaping successful athletes, saying that when a son or daughter brings honour to the country at the international level, the achievement reflects not only the athlete’s hard work but also the dedication and values instilled by their parents.
Sanghavi further noted that Valarivan studied at Sanskar Dham, an educational complex functioning under the state government’s DLSS scheme. Her success at the Asian Games, he said, serves as an inspiration to thousands of young athletes across Gujarat.
According to the state government, Valarivan has received ₹1.33 crore under the Shaktidoot Scheme and Olympic incentive initiatives for sustaining excellence in sport. She has also received ₹74 lakh through schemes including DLSS and Khel Mahakumbh. Altogether, she has been provided ₹2.41 crore in financial support and incentives by the Gujarat Government.
A resident of Ahmedabad’s Maninagar area, the 25-year-old shooter has established herself as a prominent figure in Indian rifle shooting. She has been associated with the Gujarat Government’s Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017–18 and currently holds an ‘A’ category position under the programme.
Valarivan’s career includes several notable international achievements. She represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2019, she recorded an impressive score of 251.7 to win a gold medal.
In recognition of her contribution to Indian sport, the Government of India honoured her with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2022.
She has also won multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at major international competitions, including the Junior World Cups in Suhl and Sydney in 2018, Asian Airgun Championships, World University Games in Chengdu, and competitions held in Munich and Kazakhstan in 2025.
With her latest two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026, Elavenil Valarivan has added another significant chapter to her sporting career, further highlighting Gujarat’s growing contribution to India’s international sporting achievements.
