Indian soft tennis player Jay Meena promises five gold medals for India if soft tennis enters the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, after winning the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport.
Indian soft tennis player Jay Meena has made a bold commitment for the future of the sport, promising that India can win all five gold medals if soft tennis is included in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be hosted in Ahmedabad.
Meena made the statement after creating history at the Asian Games by winning India’s first-ever medal in soft tennis. The 28-year-old secured a historic bronze medal in the men’s singles event after a strong campaign that saw him overcome difficult opponents and produce a dramatic comeback in the quarterfinal.
The Indian player’s historic run ended in the semifinal, where he lost 2-4 to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka on Wednesday. However, his semifinal appearance was enough to ensure India a maiden Asian Games medal in the sport.
Earlier, Meena had produced a sensational performance against Sherwin Nuguit in the quarterfinal. Trailing 3-5 in the deciding game, the Indian fought back strongly, winning the next four points to complete a 4-3 victory. The comeback secured his place in the semifinal and guaranteed India its first Asian Games medal in soft tennis.
Speaking to IANS after his historic achievement, Meena directly addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence in India’s ability to dominate the sport if it is introduced at the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
“If soft tennis is added to the Commonwealth in 2030, I would like to say this live. I promise you, sir. I personally promise our prime minister. Five out of five gold medals will be in India in soft tennis,” Meena said.
He added that the confidence came from the dedication and ability of Indian players and expressed his belief that the country could compete successfully at the highest level.
Meena also called for continued government support for soft tennis, arguing that the sport does not require major new infrastructure because existing lawn tennis facilities can be used. According to him, soft tennis can be played on grass, clay and synthetic courts, while existing accommodation and sporting facilities can also support the development of the discipline.
The Asian Games bronze, Meena said, could also encourage more young Indians to take up soft tennis. He described becoming the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in the sport as a significant moment that could change the perception and growth of the game in the country.
“I am proud to be the first Indian to win this medal,” Meena said, adding that the achievement could encourage others to believe that winning medals in soft tennis is possible for Indian athletes.
The historic medal came after a challenging Asian Games campaign for the Indian soft tennis team. India suffered a quarterfinal exit in the men’s team event against Indonesia on September 18. Meena and Aadhya Tiwari also exited the mixed doubles competition at the pre-quarterfinal stage.
Against that backdrop, Meena said the singles medal carried special significance for the players and their families. He highlighted the pressure and expectations surrounding the team, while describing the Indian flag and medal as symbols of the hopes of millions of people.
Meena credited his coaches, teammates, federation and government support for helping him achieve the historic result. He also acknowledged the role of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) programme, of which he recently became a member.
According to Meena, government assistance helped the players access equipment, training camps and other facilities required for their Asian Games preparation. He said the support placed an added responsibility on the athletes to deliver results.
The bronze medal marked Meena’s third Asian Games appearance, following his participation at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022. After years of competition and preparation, the medal represented a major milestone in his career and for Indian soft tennis.
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Meena said the victory was particularly emotional for the team, recalling that players and supporters celebrated with tears after the historic result. For him, delivering India’s first Asian Games medal in soft tennis represented the culmination of the efforts of athletes, coaches, officials, the federation and the government.
With the possibility of soft tennis featuring in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Meena’s statement has placed further attention on the sport’s potential in India. His historic Asian Games bronze has also provided a significant milestone for Indian soft tennis and a platform for the sport to attract greater participation and recognition.
