Eastern Railway Plans Grand Welcome for Asian Games Double Gold Medallist Sahil Jadhav

Jadhav, who works under Eastern Railway's Principal Chief Material Manager (PCMM), first won gold in the compound mixed team archery event. The victory also secured India's quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

He then added a second gold medal in the compound archery competition, completing a memorable double at the continental event.

Eastern Railway General Manager Gitika Pandey congratulated Jadhav and praised his performance, dedication and precision on the international stage, saying his achievement had brought recognition to both the country and the Railways.

The Eastern Railway Sports Association and officials across the zone also celebrated Jadhav's success, highlighting the railway's efforts to support athletes and develop sporting talent.

Jadhav, who hails from Satara in Maharashtra, is currently training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. Before the Asian Games, he underwent simulation training in Sonipat and attended an acclimatisation camp in Kurobe City, Japan.

Eastern Railway has a history of supporting successful archers, with athletes such as L. Bombayla Devi, Dola Banerjee and Rahul Banerjee having represented the zone at the highest level. All three are Arjuna Award recipients, while Bombayla Devi has also been honoured with the Padma Shri.

The railway operates the Tirandaji Academy, a dedicated archery training facility at the Gholshapur Sports Complex in Behala, Kolkata. Promising athletes from the facility can subsequently receive advanced training at SAI centres.

Jadhav's rise in the sport has involved significant personal hardship. His parents made considerable sacrifices to support his sporting ambitions, while Jadhav at one stage worked as a ward boy in a hospital to finance his training and career.

His circumstances improved after Eastern Railway identified his talent and recruited him as a junior clerk under the sports quota.

"Such nurturing provides a huge support for sportspersons. They no longer have to worry about their day to day requirements and can concentrate fully on the sport. The ER also facilitates training at its own institutions. It also provides for their advanced training at places like SAI," an Eastern Railway official said.

With Jadhav returning after his historic Asian Games campaign, colleagues and officials across Eastern Railway are preparing to welcome the double gold medallist in Kolkata.